Byfleet Manor
Byfleet Manor is a house located in Byfleet, Surrey, England. The home has been used as a filming location for ITV's Downton Abbey as the Dower House,[1] in Agatha Christie's Poirot episode After the funeral, as well as for the BBC television series Cranford.[2]
Byfleet Manor originally a royal hunting lodge given by Edward II to Piers Gaveston, his reputed lover. It was rebuilt in 1619 by Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I, the house's last royal owner. However, she died before it was finished.[3] The front walls and gate piers, which can still be seen today, date from that time. The home was rebuilt again in 1685 because it was reported to be in ruinous condition. The refurbishment of the home resulted in a much smaller building. The home remained in this state until 1905, when it was restored and enlarged again with the addition of asymmetrical wings. In February 2013, a hidden room was found within the home.[4] The house is open to the public for tea parties.[5]
References
- ↑ "Byfleet Manor - Downton Abbey 'Dower House'". Afternoontea.co.uk. 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0974077/locations
- ↑ "Surrey mansion's starring role as Dame Maggie Smith's home in Downton Abbey - Out & about". Surrey Life. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ↑ "BBC News - 'Downton' house could unlock secrets of Surrey history". Bbc.co.uk. 2013-02-23. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
- ↑ "Tea Vintage at Byfleet Manor". YouTube. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2014-01-18.