Has anyone else been enjoying the Sunday night treat that is Downton Abbey? It is fantastic, and my favourite character has to be the Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith) who has some brilliant lines. It almost makes me look forward to Sunday evenings which is definitely not my favorite time of the weekend!
In some ways life at Downton Abbey, as portrayed on the television at the moment, is a little similar to life at Tylney Hall in years gone by. During the First World War Tylney Hall also served as a hospital and our surrounding parkland was used as an ASC base for mules.
At the time of the First World War, Tylney Hall was owned by Sir Lionel Philips who bought the estate in 1898 (it is his house which stands today). Although I can’t help but wonder if the lives of the Philips family and their servants were similar to that of the Crawley’s throughout this period in time, with all the drama similar to that which is currently unfolding at Downton.
I am sure that the general upstairs/downstairs way of life would have been very similar between the two houses and definitely the upset caused by a family home being turned into a hospital gaining similar reactions to some of the Crawley family.
To get a real sense of what life at Tylney Hall was like during this period, please pay a visit to reception where you will find an album of old family photographs.
Anna Cluett: Sales, Marketing & PR Co-ordinator - Monday 24th October 2011
