After watching the last episode of Downton Abbey, I mentioned to my wife that in the whole series, I never saw someone smoking a pipe. Could be I missed it, but then I never saw any character smoking anything in the house, just outside or in another location. Could be restrictions of the shooting location, pretty expensive and historical home, don't want the drapes and rugs smelling of smoke
I never saw anyone smoking a pipe in that show either. It struck me as a little strange as I did, however, see many cigars and cigarettes smoked and smoked in the house. As for the location. I have been there but before Downton Abbey fame. The place is actually called Highclere Castle. Perhaps some know that already, I have no idea. I was installing light and sound equipment for an event. As you enter the building you emerge into a part of the house that I think is called The Saloon. You see it often on the show as the place with the rather fancy staircase. It has what looks like wallpaper from a distance but as you get closer you realise it is actually some hand carved leather wall covering. I think it was from Spain and is clearly bloody old. The building is truly exquisite and even more impressive in reality I can assure you.
While I was working there I was standing out the front of the house next to some sort of butler smoking a cigarette and talking to another member of my crew. A Mercedes appears on the drive and is driving down the gravel towards us and is travelling at quite a speed. As it passes I comment to my friend something along the lines of "Blimey! She wants to slow down a little". The butler looks down his nose at me and pipes up with "Ahem! That was Lady Carnarvon Sir". This gave me and my mate something of a giggle.
The 5th Earl of the place was something of an Egyptologist and was with Howard Carter when the tomb of Tutankhamun was discovered. Consequently, the castle became home to many ancient Egyptian artefacts.
I have been lucky enough to have visited many of these old houses all over the country for the same reason and they all have their unique charm. I still can't imagine what it is like to live in one, though, I wouldn't mind trying.
