Oh What a Marvellous Party
Oh What a Marvellous Party
For houses such as Highclere or Downton Abbey the month of June is all about the social season. Dressing for Royal Ascot, dances and garden parties, going to events and hosting one’s own parties.
You may remember that Noel Coward had a cameo role in the last Downton film, but what you may not know is that Geordie’s grandfather, the 6th Earl, actually knew Noel Coward as a friend. He was also friends with Ian Fleming of James Bond fame. Both men owned houses in Jamaica nearby to each other, one called Goldeneye and one called Firefly. Noel Coward famously hosted notorious naked pool parties at his and was the only person who called the 6th Earl ‘dolling’ whilst the 6th Earl commented that he was a warm-hearted genius.
Back at Highclere, Geordie’s grandfather also loved to host a party. He had been well trained by his mother who liked to do things on a grand scale, from 500 children for a New Year’s party to 5,000 local people to celebrate the coronation of King George V.
Following this tradition, this year Geordie and I thought that it was our turn. Inspired by the one and only Dowager Maggie’s Smith’s throwaway line “What is a weekend?”, it was now time for a marvellous set of parties spread over a weekend. We decided to keep our scale more intimate than huge which we hoped would be more fun for all and enabled our home team Highclere to look after everything.
Friday night belonged to cocktails and jazz. Guests were serenaded within the castle as well as outside in the summer palm filled marquee. The warm summer’s evening had fortunately lost some of its heat but left us with balmy long views to distant tree studded hillsides. The mirrored cocktail bar produced Lavender Ladies and Negronis as fast as possible whilst the Pasadena Roof Orchestra Band kept a wonderful tempo. At this point we were all treated to the prettiest dessert canapes, from mini chocolate flowerpots to tiny raspberry possets, irresistible mini treacle tarts and savoury toasts. As the light began to leave us our guests wandered slowly hand in hand back down the drive.
We had never curated a summer dance before and given it a was June Saturday night thought it was high time to invite people to come! Originally, we had concerns about the weather, thinking it was England so it might well rain but perhaps predictably we then had to worry about a heatwave instead. Luckily as the afternoon progressed a light breeze developed and we set the white clothed tables on the lawns, underneath the lime trees. How heavenly was that?
The arrival story was framed by vast floral arrangement framing the front doors, before a chance for some memorable photos on the famous oak staircase for Friends of Highclere by way of saying thank you.
Highclere has a reputation for exceptional cooking and traditional seasonal food but Brian the head chef and his team definitely took it to another level. Meanwhile Mike the Magician amused everyone, removing rings and money… he did give them back. Then, following a short gin masterclass with Luis and Geordie, we were all treated to a special impromptu duet. The Earl and the Soldier - Geordie and Colin Thackeray brought the house down with a song together – I found it really rather emotional. This was followed by a Scottish reel which proved the most enormous fun before the jazz band and Brooks and Baker returned for more contemporary dancing!!!
Our weekend included Sunday - carrying on with the Dowager’s inspiration. In this case with a rather wonderful walk in the park. Luckily, the gardens part of the tour provided shade under the trees which made it pleasant rather than too hot. Geordie and I were joined by Emmeline our head gardener to explain all that Emmeline and her team achieve. There is always so much to see after which we all enjoyed the prettiest afternoon tea.
In Noel Coward words I hope it was the most marvellous party, partly in the fresh air and to share the final verse:
“We talked about growing old gracefully
And Elsie who's seventy-four
Said, “A, it's a question of being sincere
And be, if you're supple you've nothing to fear
Then she swung upside down from a glass chandelier
I couldn't have liked it more.”
36 Comments
Lovely!
We (my niece Karen Harrivel and I just returned from a 28 day trip to Europe where we set the tone by visiting HighClere first. Heard a wonderful lecture on Hane Austen and then a marvelous tour of the castle. Amazing start to my first visit to England.
Thank you
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. So happy to hear that the stately homes of England are still standing beautifully.
One question: Why was Carnarvon chosen as the family name?
From the 17th century - previous relations
Aw, don’t you look pretty… you can’t beat a summer part. Glad to hear you all had a wonderful time!
Well done!
Sounds absolutely blissful Using your house and grounds for all I am so happy you have the spirit within you to achieve what you do for your Highclere House I visited in 2024 which will never be forgotten Thankyou
I hope you will return one day
I wished could have been there, Sounds like a lot of fun.
as always Jenny
Thank you Jenny
Lady Carnarvon,
Your story of a lovely weekend captured my imagination, as usual! I’m sure you and Geordie had many guest who murmured “Oh, what a party!” as they reluctantly left one of the events. And at lease the heat held off a bit!
Hope the week to come is cooler!
Martha G
…and so pleased that new long floral ‘tea dresses’ are making a comeback!
Martha
It sounds a wonderful weekend that everyone enjoyed so much, after a lot of planning I would imagine.
Well done to you and all the team. Super photo of you at the front door, wearing such a beautiful and colourful dress.
Lovely the pictures of oh a marsvellows and did you have a nice weekend and fan of Downton Abbey and higcelere castle
So happy you had such a lovely time 💖😊
The weekend must have been delightful with the weather cooperating! You and Lord Carnarvon are such gracious hosts, continuing a summer tradition as the Real Downton Abbey. I hope to visit your wonderful home again in the near future and walk through your gardens, which I missed the first time.
Lady Carnarvon,
I am so glad you had such great weather for your parties.
When we visited Highclere in May 2019, the weather was wonderful, too!
You brought back memories of our time there.
Thank you!
How fabulous was your party season. Thank you for such a joyful read with marvellous photographs. Oh how I would love to have been there. It looked absolutely amazing. You'll have to make ita more regular summer theme now. Such fun and enjoyment for everyone. .
My dearest Lady Fiona,
Good evening from Brazil.
Wow, beautiful wonderful,lovely...
party.
Congratulations.
Happy week for you.
Vila Alemã
Rio Claro-SP
Brazil.
How delightful, the generosity of spirit of both of you and your team shines through in everything you do. Bet the dogs loved it!
Thankyou this must have been a wonderful weekend and I would have so loved to be there instead of the cold of Australia. Well done.
Thankyou this must have been a wonderful weekend and I would have so loved to be there instead of the cold of Australia. Well done.
As always, your description brings the reader to your home. We made our acquaintance a few year back during a book signing following your delightful, informative and most memorable lecture at the Nashville Antiques and Garden Show. You chuckled when I shared that my husband and I refer to our television remote control as "Carson". I still love to tell the story. My cup is half full as a friend and I have been accepted to Oxford Lifelong Learning Program with Country Houses as the subject topic. We have extended our trip and have secured entry to Highclere Castle between 12:30 and 2:30 on Thursday, August 6. It would be delightful if we might say hello should your time permit. We will overnight at the Great Fosters with tickets on the 7th to Queen Elizabeth's Life in Style Exhibit. Yes, we are absolutely giddy. With warmest regards and hopes that there is a cool wave in the near future!
Congratulations on what looked like a marvelous weekend at the Castle! I'm not sure what was more beautiful: the festivities or you in that gorgeous, colorful dress at the front door.
I think one of the reasons I love hearing about Highclere and loved Downton Abbey so much is that it brings back my youth. I was very lucky to grow up in a privleged upper class family where the house had 13 bathrooms and there was the upstairs maid! As I write a lot, I am telling the stories for my grandchildren because no one in ordinary families can believe how we lived. We even had the buzzer bells in the rooms and the board in the kitchen. Our parents built that feature into their own home and my sister and I couldn't wait until Mom had plates of dinner in her hands in the kitchen and we would step on the buzzer under the dining room table tomake her scream and jump. Naughty children, we.
Thanks for all you share.
Lovely the oh what a marvellous did you and lord Carnarvon have wonderful weekend and I am fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle
Lady Fiona, it DOES sound like a marvelous weekend for all, creating memories that will cherished for a lifetime!
"What is a weekend?" When it takes place at Highclere and is hosted by Lord and Lady Carnarvon, one needn't ask. We cannot tell you ow much fun Perry and I had. Thanks very much for having us!
Sounded like a wonderful weekend, Lady Carnarnon.
That dress is an absolute stunner.
A lovely weekend for you all
As an avid Downton Abbey fan and ballroom dancer, the anticipation for this event was immense. It's hard to believe that the reality exceeded our lofty expectations. What Lady Carnarvon did not describe is her amazing hospitality that made us feel like intimate friends. She graciously entertained her guests the entire evening. Our hosts made this amazing event worth crossing the pond again just for this experience.
As an avid Downton Abbey fan and ballroom dancer, the anticipation for this event was immense. It's hard to believe that the reality exceeded our lofty expectations. What Lady Carnarvon did not describe is her amazing hospitality that made us feel like intimate friends. She graciously entertained her guests the entire evening. Our hosts made this amazing event worth crossing the pond again just for this experience.
As an avid Downton Abbey fan and ballroom dancer, the anticipation for this event was immense. It's hard to believe that the reality exceeded our lofty expectations. What Lady Carnarvon did not describe is her amazing hospitality that made us feel like intimate friends. She graciously entertained her guests the entire evening. Our hosts made this amazing event worth crossing the pond again just for this experience.
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Saturday night was a wonderful event with the highlight being the "Earl and the Soldier duet". They should definitely do it again! Great company in a beautiful setting - thank you.
Jo it was great - really moving - have you see it on the Instagram of last night?