Earl bids farewell to Downton Abbey

Last series filmed at Highclere Castle

The Earl of Carnarvon has bid a fond farewell to the award-winning ITV series, Downton Abbey, after it was announced that the forthcoming series will be the last.

The period drama, mostly filmed at the castle, has attracted record audiences around the globe, but ITV recently announced the sixth series, to be broadcast in the autumn, would be the last.

The broadcaster said: “After five series of drama for the Crawleys, season six will see us bidding a fond farewell to the family and those who serve them in the final ever episodes of Downton Abbey.”

The Earl of Carnarvon told the Newbury Weekly News this week that filming of the series would finish around mid-July.

He said: “It’s been an honour to have been involved in the Downton journey over the last six years and we have very much enjoyed being the home of Downton Abbey.

“We are delighted that so many people around the world have enjoyed the series and the role that Highclere Castle has played as the backdrop to the show.”

Writer, creator and executive producer of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes, said: “People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea.”

However Mr Fellowes has added some intrigue on the possibility of a future Downton Abbey film.

The series saw visitor numbers treble at the castle in recent years, so much so that in 2012, prior to the filming of the fourth series, the estate drew up plans for a new toilet block.

The series has also resulted in tickets to view Highclere Castle being sold out well in advance in previous years and the trend has continued this year.

Tickets for the 2015 opening season, along with an afternoon tea at the coachhouse event have sold out.

Downton Abbey will come to a close on Christmas Day 2015 on ITV.