The Perfect Backdrop For Drama: The Gardens Of Downton Abbey

updated May 5, 2019

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I cannot believe Season 3 of Downton Abbey has arrived — I still haven’t seen Season 2! Of course, since I watched all of Season 1 in less than 48 hours, it shouldn’t be too hard to catch up. For now, I’m satisfied just gazing at the splendid gardens, imagining all the storming off, surreptitious conversations, and liaisons-in-follies I could have with such amazing grounds…

Garden Design has done a typically excellent piece on the gardens of Downton Abbey, or rather, the gardens of Highclere Castle, where the show is set. My favorite inside scoop is that the show was actually written with this particular castle in mind — how immensely satisfying it must be that it’s actually shot there! That must be one of the many reasons the show fits together so perfectly.

What are your favorite parts of the Downton Abbey grounds? The topiaries? The sweeping vistas? The wildflower meadows? Or simply the space, all 1,000 glorious acres of it? I’m partial to the trees, especially the windswept cedars shown in the next-to-the-last photo. A girl could really enjoy a cup of tea under one of those..

(Image: Highclere Castle via Garden Design)