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| Wentworth Woodhouse, Yorkshire, England |
This is the REAL Downton Abbey, and it's even in Yorkshire! The country seat of the Fitzwilliam family, this is the story of the house, the family and the fortune made from the local coal mining industry. It has been said that truth is stranger than fiction...well, this is one story which HAS to be filmed. And since the house is now standing empty, waiting for repairs and a ₤200 million development deal (hotel, museum, wedding venue etc) now would be the time to film it!
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| Black Diamonds- The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty by Catherine Bailey |
I bet you can't read just one chapter. Un-put-down-able! And the Fitzwilliam family make the Crawley family seem heroically well adjusted. Seriously!
I won't spoil the story for you. But I will be getting in touch with Catherine Bailey to beg her to write a screenplay. Seriously!
I've added this to my long growing to be read pile. The main portion of the house looks familiar. Has it been used in any of the period dramas? Or is it just similar features to other estates
ReplyDeleteGreat question Sarah. It was used for Cumnor Towers in Wives and Daughters. Now I have a great reason to watch that one again. It's one of my faves anyway.
DeleteIt also reminds me a bit of Chatsworth House which is very close to Wentworth Woodhouse (about 35 miles).
I was looking for a book to take with me on a mini-vacation. I'll have to check this out. Is this the same Fitzwilliam family where the heir was engaged to Kathleen Kennedy and died in a plane crash? Also, I remember the Fitzwilliams had a monopoly on the distribution of Coca Cola in the north of England. The facts I keep in my head! It's scary.
ReplyDeleteMary, you are good! Yes, same Fitzwilliam family. I didn't know about the Coca Cola but I wouldn't doubt it! Have a good mini-break. This would be a great book to take. Imagine the film in your head!
DeleteGorgeous building. wow! Sounds like a great book and would be movie. Mary is scary. I had no idea about these facts.
ReplyDeleteI love wives and daughters also. One of the first period dramas I watched. Can you believe his name? straight out of two Austen novels. Perhaps if I brushed up extremely well on my UK facts they'd hire a poor american to work there in one of the shops....just so I could see the place for a while. smiles.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzan, I did think it was weird with the Fitzwilliam/P&P name. I didn't catch the Woodhouse/Emma and Wentworth/Persuasion connection until you pointed it out. Spoooooky!
DeleteNow who should write the screenplay? Julian Fellowes? Andrew Davies? Emma Thompson? or maybe Sandy Welsh? Who do you think?
Andrew Davies or Emma Thompson.....smiles.....Downton is becoming a little too soap opery for me.....I guess it depends on my mood. lol
ReplyDeleteYou might want to check BBC HD channel this Sunday 18 March(or presumably iPlayer afterwards):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011qd3d
Thanks Rob! All my UK readers can watch that this Sunday. I'll keep an eye out for it on this side of the pond. Looks like a good candidate for PBS, or for TVOntario here in the Great White North. Cheers!
DeleteThisi book is my favourite of all time I live just down the road from wentworth estate and l still think its the most beautiful place in the world A hidden gem with so much history it would make an epic One day the whole world will know the history of wentworth Im certain that house has more true stories to tell than any downton abbey
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading this book which I got from the library in Tasmania. I was sorry to finish it as it was captivating , I have watched clips on you tube now about the house and am glad to see that it is slowly being restored. Next trip to England , I'll be there ! I'm from Leicestershire originally and another beautiful old house that was re discovered is Calke Abbey , well worth a visit as it was a bit of a time capsule when it was finally handed over to the National Trust.
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