Laird of the Manor: Downton-inspired escapes at Glenapp Castle
Scotland's Glenapp Castle is capitalising on the upcoming release of the final Downton Abbey film by offering guests butler-taught Edwardian etiquette lessons as part of a period-themed package. Olivia Palamountain reports
Glenapp Castle, a Relais & Châteaux property on the Ayrshire coast, has launched a "Regal Elegance: A Downton Abbey-Inspired Escape" ahead of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which hits cinemas on September 12.
The two-night package is priced at £445 per person per night and includes instruction from the castle's butlers on proper Edwardian decorum, preparing guests for formal dinner parties in authentic period style.
The 21-bedroom castle features Scotland's largest hotel suite and sits within expansive private grounds including Italian gardens designed by renowned horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll. The property's commanding coastal position and period architecture provide an authentic backdrop for the Edwardian experience.
Guests receive afternoon tea upon arrival, followed by accommodation in castle bedroom suites furnished with period pieces and luxury fabrics.
The package also includes access to more than 70 outdoor activities ranging from tennis and croquet to estate tours, alongside seven-course dinners in the castle's three AA Rosette restaurant.
Glenapp Castle joins other businesses and heritage properties leveraging popular culture connections to attract guests seeking themed luxury experiences that combine entertainment with authentic historical settings.
Last year, British Airways premiered an in-flight safety video, titled "A British Original Period Drama".
The film drew inspiration from Britain's rich literary and cinematic heritage, while tapping into the the trend for period aesthetics that has taken off in the wake of smash-hit series such as Bridgerton and Downton Abbey.
BA employees appear both as themselves and in period costume, bridging the gap between historical Britain and modern air travel.
Filmed at grand country estates including Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and Englefield House Estate in Berkshire, the video portrays 19th-century characters comically interacting with modern aviation safety procedures.
