We uncover surprising set secrets from Downton Abbey.
Downton Abbey is finally back on our screens!
To celebrate the highly anticipated return of one of our favourite shows we’ve delved deep into the set to discover behind-the-scene secrets that you’d never guess!
Ever wondered what goes into the delicious on-screen cakes or if the kitchen works at all?
You’ll be surprised to hear the truth behind the bells and you’ll never guess what insight you missed about Carson!
In the words of Mrs Hughes “have a spot of sherry” as you click through and uncover the set secrets from Downton Abbey!
Lady Cora’s bedroom also serves as the bedroom for Mary, Edith, and Rose. They may just move around a few walls and a fireplace, but everything is thought out and is historically accurate!
The giant bells ring in to be one of the most recognised attributes from the show. You’ll be surprised to find out that they are not historically accurate. After WWI, most manor homes switched their servant calling system from analog bells to electric lights. We still love the bells!
Carson’s office is filled with British literature. The books were actually purchased at the local markets! Another cute touch are several photographs of cricket matches, a homage to Jim Carter (who plays Carson) interest in the sport.
The flooring on most sets is cheap, but the floor of Downton’s downstairs quarters are made from irregular slabs of real Indian sandstone, which are laid out in an somewhat haphazard patchwork akin to how it would have been in the era. After Season 1, the set was cleared and put into storage, but no one bothered to record where, exactly, those custom-cut stones were located for Season 2. They haven’t made that mistake since!
The kitchen’s oven is made of wood, and the stove has functioning hot plates.
When the set designers can’t find an item, they turn to eBay! If you think back to Season 1 when Mrs. Patmore had to buy an electric mixer, the set team found a 1918 mixer on eBay!
Mrs Hughes’ sitting room is a pivotal spot on the show. You can rely on her to have a spot of sherry and an impressive tea set on hand. The actual set is from the time, and there is also a calendar in her room.“It drives the poor continuity script ladies mad. ‘What day is it? Is it Tuesday?’”
The Dowager Countess’ apartment is filled with papers, letters, and decorative touches in part so that Dame Maggie Smith doesn’t get bored. “Maggie always asks to have something going on,” said Production Designer, Donal Woods. “It’s quite difficult — a Dowager of that time and age wouldn’t have really done much, really.” As a compromise, they filled the Countess’ desk with bundles of correspondence to at least give the suggestion of how she fills her hours.
The food on Downton Abbey may look delicious but the set and production designers wouldn’t recommend digging in. To ensure that the food lasts through the long hours of filming, there are often ingredients added that wouldn’t necessarily be that tasty and usually ‘solid as a rock’!
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