Christmas: How aristocrat real-life location of TV hit

Where drama is filmed and where some of the stars will be joining her this year

the most precious times. And for us it is also about going to church. It’s a place where we think about people who are less fortunate, what we can do for them, and where we remember people who are no longer here.”

Among those joining Lady C on Christmas day will be what she laughingly describes as her “motley” group of friends, only some of her sisters, “so that my husband is not too overwhelmed”, and their son Edward. She also hopes to welcome her stepchildren and she says there is always a place at her table for a chum who finds themselves alone.

But, she reveals: “The cast of Downton won’t be with me for Christmas.

“I hope they will be spending time with their families, although some will come to stay in winter – people like Hugh and his wife Lulu,” she says, referring to Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham in the show, and his wife Lucinda.

“I try to share Highclere with them because it gives the whole thing more authenticity. Quite a few of the cast have been to stay and some of the directors and producers. I have got to know them well.

“The film only took two months and it was a golden autumn. We all knew we weren’t together for that long so we made the best of it. I have cast and crew on my speed dial to ask if they can make this weekend or that for some fun. It is a delight to share the real house.”

‘ I try to share Highclere with them because it gives the whole thing more authenticity

She starts buying her gifts in October, the list is immense and includes Highclere’s staff and helpers. But what would be her ultimate Christmas gift?

“Peace,” she sighs. “It is a tumultuous world. It would be better if there were less shouting, and more conversation.

“The real statesmen at Highclere; Prime Ministers like Lord Charles Grey, Lord Salisbury, Benjamin Disraeli, and Winston Churchill chose to sit down, eat, raise a glass to toast each other and to try to unravel the challenges of life through walking and talking.”