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Inside the Real ‘Downton Abbey’—Now Up on Airbnb

With the “Downton Abbey” movie premiering on Sept. 20, many of the show’s fans may be wondering: What would it be like to live like Lord and Lady Grantham in such a posh place?

Well, here’s your chance: Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton, located in Hampshire, England, will soon be up for booking on Airbnb!

And best to set your alarm to beat the crowds. Reservations open Oct. 1 at noon, British Standard Time. Only one night is available: Nov. 26. The cost of this unforgettable experience is shockingly cheap, at $159. Making the deal that much sweeter, Airbnb will donate a portion to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The current owners and Airbnb hosts, the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, live in part of Highclere, which has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679. The rest serves as an event space and is open to the public on certain days every year.

According to the Airbnb listing, Lady Carnarvon, a historian, is “passionate about the stories and heritage of Highclere Castle” and “delighted to be able to share it with others who have a love of the building and its history.”

Located an hour’s drive from London, the 100,000-square-foot castle, remodeled in the 19th century, has 300 rooms. Your room, for up to two guests, will feature a king-sized bed, en suite bathroom, and views overlooking 1,000 acres of rolling parkland.

Aside from a once-in-a-lifetime sneak peek inside the sprawling estate, what will this booking get you? According to the listing, Lady and Lord Carnarvon will greet you upon arrival. During your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive evening sipping cocktails in the saloon, followed by a traditional dinner (if only it were prepared by Mrs. Patmore and her apprentice, Daisy!) with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon in the state dining room. There, you’ll be waited on by Highclere Castle’s own butler, who will surely be as solicitous as the Crawley family’s dear Carson. Following that feast, coffee will be served in the library.

Before departing the next day, guests can savor a delicious breakfast before receiving a private tour of Highclere Castle’s extensive grounds.

As heavenly as this seems, there are a few house rules: No smoking, parties, or events are permitted. Children under 12 and pets are not allowed. What would Lady Mary and Lady Edith say about that?

To size up what your stay would be like, or merely indulge in nostalgia for the series’ six seasons, take a tour of some of the Airbnb listing photos below.

While it won’t be the same without Maggie Smith’s dowager countess making her sly and witty cracks in the corner, a guest could certainly make do with these lavish digs for a day.

As the listing states, this opportunity is likely to be very popular, so in order to book, you must have a verified Airbnb profile with positive reviews, “and be passionate about Downton Abbey.”

Another thing to note is that you may feel as if you’ve truly traveled back in time, as there’s no Wi-Fi in the bedroom. But it’s worth it, don’t you think?

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