THE doors of Highclere Castle – the real Downton Abbey - will open for an exclusive charitable day in aid of Combat Stress this month.

On Friday, May 18, the Countess of Carnarvon will welcome guests from 9.30am, when they’ll enjoy bucks fizz and morning refreshments in the saloon. The saloon is the heart of the castle, with a 75ft-high glazed ceiling, a magnificent open fireplace and a Gothic-style minstrel gallery.

In small groups, guests will then be taken on a guided tour of the main state rooms and bedrooms which Downton Abbey fans will instantly recognise. Guests will then be welcomed in to the Library for an informal talk with Lady Carnarvon and Professor Simon Wessely.

Lady Carnarvon will give an insight into life at the Castle during the First World War and the remarkable nursing skills of Lady Almina, the fifth Countess. Professor Wessely is the director at the King’s Centre for military health research, and a trustee at Combat Stress. He’ll provide his expert analysis of medicine and psychiatry from the First World War to the present day.

The Countess has chosen to support Combat Stress in this way as it is the UK’s leading military charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health.

Lady Carnarvon said: “Their aim is to ensure that Veterans receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, a theme that resonates through Highclere’s history as Lady Almina transformed the Castle into a hospital in 1914”.

After the talk guests are welcome to enjoy the castle gardens and grounds at their leisure with the opportunity to visit the Highclere gift shop.

Tea and coffee will also be available with homemade cake and biscuits.

The day ends at 1pm, when guests will receive a complimentary signed copy of Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey, which was written by Lady Carnarvon.

The price of this unique day is £100 per person. All proceeds will be donated to Combat Stress and to Highclere parish church of St Michael and All Angels.

To book tickets, call 01635 250 444. A limited number are available from highclerecastle.co.uk.