Activities

The 8th Countess of Carnarvon lives at Highclere Castle, the “Real Downton Abbey”. Over the course of the last eight years it has become one of the most iconic houses in the world and Lady Carnarvon and her husband, the Earl of Carnarvon, have sought to share
the stories and heritage.

At the centre of her ethos is to follow her heart, to engage with people and hope they might love Highclere whether locally, nationally or even internationally. Lady Carnarvon has looked for stories: fortunately for Highclere, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and this was the story that inspired the exhibition the current Carnarvons created in the cellars of the Castle. Lady Carnarvon began her career as an author by writing the guidebook to Highclere and a
guide to the Egyptian exhibition which transported visitors back to Ancient Egypt. Lady Carnarvon has written two historical books, ‘Lady Almina’ which covers the First World War when Highclere was actually a hospital and ‘Lady Catherine’ which looks at the twenties and thirties and the Second World War through the real inhabitants, both upstairs and downstairs.

There are fascinating comparisons with what is seen on television. Her latest bestseller ‘At Home at Highclere’ is a lavishly illustrated book which documents an insight into life at Highclere Castle. Food is a key theme throughout the book having played an important social role in the lives of the Earls of Carnarvon bringing people together and it includes
some favourite recipes from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Lady Carnarvon’s next book ‘Christmas at Highclere Castle – recipes and traditions from the Real Downton Abbey’ will be published in September 2019.

GENERAL MEETING SCHEDULE:
9:30am – 10:30am Registration. Coffee/tea, activities sign-up and shopping
10:35am Doors to the auditorium open
10:45am – 12noon Club announcements followed by Guest Speaker
12noon – 12:30pm Book signing
12:30pm – 2:30pm Hospitality lunch* at The Baglioni Hotel

*You can reserve your place at the lunch ahead of time by emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, you may sign-up upon arrival at the General Meeting. Note that places are limited and we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Members, new members and guests are welcome. There is a £10 entrance fee for non-members, which is redeemable toward your membership fee on the day. Please see kcwc AT-A-GLANCE for important details about the General Meetings.