Downton Abbey Style Country House Experience

Come and join us, with your partner, friends or individually, for a Downton Abbey Inspired Experience in one of the country’s finest stately homes.

1 / 2 night country house stay, to include country house dining experience and breakfast. Prices start from £142.50 per person, Dinner, bed & breakfast. Option to join for dinner only.

*Note: bed and breakfast also available on other dates

For the millions who have tuned in to watch the much loved series Downton Abbey, the opulent lifestyle of Lord and Lady Grantham and their world of dinner parties, fine food and good company, in a breath-taking setting, is something most people could never get close to.

For the first time Thornton Manor is opening its doors to share their own Downton Abbey inspired experience, inviting people to come and have an elegant country house experience at one of the country’s finest stately homes.

As far as possible, Downton inspired evenings will follow the pattern of the special dining occasions laid on by the Leverhulme dynasty throughout Thornton Manor’s long history of entertaining.

Philip Leverhulme, the last Viscount to live at Thornton Manor, was a generous host having a passion for horse racing. He was a senior steward of the Jockey Club and a race horse owner with a stud at Thornton Manor, which resulted in him being closely connected to the royal family. As well as the Queen Mother, he numbered Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon among his circle of friends. The Queen Mother had her own bedroom and sitting room at the manor, both available for guests to stay in.

Stepping back in time, the Downton Abbey Experience starts once you drive through the Manor gateway, up the sweeping driveway to a formal welcome in the grand hall before being accompanied to your guest rooms.

For the evening you will be welcomed for dinner, and we invite you to dress in evening dress and black tie – adding to the glamour of the occasion. As for the menu, it will be a four-course affair with the best of British food, much of it locally-sourced.

After dinner, in Viscount Leverhulme’s day, ladies would adjourn to the adjoining Adam Room while gentlemen stayed in the dining room for port, brandy and cigars. In these more enlightened days, all guests will retire to the French Room to end the evening with a “nightcap” and coffee.

No country house occasion on such a grand scale as this would be complete without an enormous traditional British breakfast the following morning

During the stay, the manor’s hosts will make time for guests to take a look at some of the stunning features of the house, including the Music Room with its spectacular wall panelling, elaborate plaster work and period paintings by the 18th century Italian painter and engraver Giovanni Cipriani, or a walk through the grounds designed by the celebrated landscaper Thomas Mawson.

Fishing, boating and archery available by arrangement.

Local attractions include Liverpool’s Georgian architecture, historic Chester, Port Sunlight, 6 local golf courses including Royal Liverpool & Hoylake, and Cheshire Oaks Shopping village.

Social distancing measures, in line with current regulations, will be in place for Thornton Manor’s Downton Abbey Experience. Prices start at £142.50 per person, for dinner, bed and breakfast.

To learn more, and to book your experience, contact the office at Thornton Manor on 0151 353 1155