THE sixth and final series of Downton Abbey may have come to an end, but the Countess of Carnarvon hopes its legacy will live on at Highclere Castle.

Filming finished at Highclere in July this year, having been the main set location for the drama for six years.

A large part of Lady Carnarvon’s responsibilities during this time has been to work with the actors and actresses as they filmed in the rooms, corridors, stairs, galleries and grounds of her home between February and July each year.

Speaking to The Gazette after the final episode of series six of the award-winning costume drama aired, Lady Carnarvon said: “It was a different working schedule but it was fun.

“You can’t not be involved.

“They ask what they can and can’t do.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

But now the cast has vacated her castle, the countess hopes the public’s interest will continue and that visitors will attend the many events held at Highclere each year.

She said: “It’s given us an amazing international profile which we didn’t have as much before, which is wonderful.”

This includes the huge interest in Downton Abbey in America where the television series has a mass following.

The castle now has thousands of visitors each year, who can explore the many rooms used in the ITV series.

Basingstoke Gazette:

Lady Carnarvon said: “It’s not in a sense all over because people still want to come and see where Downton is filmed and visit the set and location.”

Of course, fans of the show still have the Christmas special to look forward to, but Lady Carnarvon gave nothing away about what to expect.

“I didn’t really want to know how it ends,” she said, “Because I don’t want to say the wrong thing.

“But I thoroughly enjoyed the last episode.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

She will watch the final ever episode on Christmas Day at the same time as everyone else, from her own home, and said it will be a “surreal experience”.

The Countess was also tight-lipped about the possibility of a Downton Abbey film, adding: “They may or may not do a film.

“It would be enormous fun if they did.”

Posting on her blog, Lady Carnarvon described the last six years as “an amazing and splendid journey for which we will be ever grateful”.

She added: “Do I worry about the end of Downton? Of course I do.

“Downton has been part of Highclere’s world in a spectacular fashion.

“However, I am going to try out some new “bright ideas” next year though clearly only time will tell how bright they are!”