Join best-selling author and the real Countess of Downton Abbey, Lady Carnarvon for a very special author dinner at the West Park Hotel.

While viewers have long-since waved goodbye to Lord and Lady Grantham, life goes on for the real-life Downton Abbey family. Lord and Lady Carnarvon reside full time at the stunning Highclere Castle where the six series’ of the hit ITV show were filmed.

Highclere Castle is one of England’s most beautiful Victorian Castles set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland. The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679.

Fascinated by Highclere’s history, Lady Carnarvon has written two historical books following the real people upstairs and downstairs who have lived at the castle during the First and Second World Wars.

Her latest book, At Home at Highclere: Entertaining at The Real Downton Abbey, tells of the extraordinary characters, banquets and parties held at the castle.

Lizzie Brewster, Future 50 Appeal Coordinator at Harrogate International Festivals, said: “This is a very special event with the Festivals’ Premier Partner, the West Park Hotel. The Premier Partner scheme invites businesses to support our arts charity’s year-round delivery, and we’re very appreciative of the West Park Hotel’s on-going support. It’s a great example of how businesses in our local community can support the arts and help deliver unique cultural events.”

At Home at Highclere explores the castle through the centuries, which has hosted royalty, statesmen, Egyptologists and pioneers of technology, along with famed musicians and artists through the ages.

Find out about the etiquette of the invitation, the balance of guests at a weekend house party, proper ‘placement’ at dinners, and how to entertain friends, as well as the domestic management required to execute the perfect occasion.

As well as Downton, the Hampshire stately home was a filming location for Jeeves and Wooster but it was only after the success of the period drama starring Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith that its popularity as a tourist site took off. Society bible, Tatler, even dubbed the phenomenon ‘Downtonia’.

This is a must event for any fans of Downton Abbey.

An Evening With Lady Carnarvon, Tues 12 September, 7pm,The West Park Hotel, Harrogate, £35 including two courses and coffee. Book online www.harrogateinternatinalfestivals.com or BOX OFFICE: 01423 562 303.