Downton Abbey Christmas: 14 English Country House Decor Ideas From the Real Highclere Castle

A Downton Abbey Christmas is all about rich red and gold, polished silver and garlands that look like they came straight from a grand English estate. The good news is that you do not need 300 rooms to get the look. Highclere Castle, the real house where the show and the films were made, opens its doors at the holidays, and the family shares how they decorate. You can take a peek in this video tour of Christmas at Highclere Castle. Below are 14 ideas inspired by the real Downton Abbey home, made simple and budget friendly for an American house. Shall we step inside..

The Red and Gold Downton Abbey Christmas Tree

Lord Carnarvon has shared a sweet memory from his grandfather’s day. The same box of red and gold decorations came down from the castle attics every single year. That is the heart of this look. Pick just two colors, deep red and antique gold, and stick to them. Fill a tall tree with glass baubles in mixed sizes, wind wide gold ribbon from top to bottom, and add warm white lights. Keep the ornaments close to the trunk as well as on the tips, so the tree looks full and glowing from every side. The result feels grand, calm and timeless, never busy. Do you have a box of family ornaments that comes out every year?..

You will need: Tall tree, red and gold glass baubles, wide gold ribbon, warm white lights.

How to make it: 1. Add lights first, working from the trunk out. 2. Wind the ribbon in loose loops from top to bottom. 3. Hang big baubles deep inside and small ones on the tips.

Victorian Prince Albert Style Tree

For the 2025 holidays, Highclere went full Victorian with rich reds and golds, and the family put up 61 trees. That was a nod to Prince Albert, who made the Christmas tree popular in Britain. A Victorian tree is easy to copy with paper and ribbon. Roll pretty paper into little cone shapes, glue them closed and add a loop of ribbon. Fill them with wrapped candies or sprigs of greenery. Tie small boxes in gift wrap and hang them like presents. Drape a gold bead garland in soft swags between the branches. It looks old fashioned, handmade and charming. It is a Downton Abbey Christmas tree with a homemade heart. Which part would you make first, the cones or the tiny gifts?

You will need: Tree, decorative paper, glue, ribbon, small boxes, gold bead garland.

How to make it: 1. Roll paper into cones and glue the seams. 2. Add a ribbon handle and fill. 3. Hang cones, tiny boxes and bead swags all over.

Little Book Ornaments for a Downton Abbey Christmas

One of the trees at Highclere stood in the library and was trimmed with little books, a nod to Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol. You can make tiny book ornaments with matchboxes or small pieces of cardboard. Wrap each one in a scrap of brown or red paper for the cover, then glue folded strips of old book pages inside so they look like real pages. Brush on a coat of Mod Podge to seal them. Add a loop of gold cord through the top. They look so sweet hanging on a tree next to a bookshelf. This is a perfect project for book lovers. What is your favorite holiday story?

You will need: Matchboxes or cardboard, old book pages, cover paper, Mod Podge, gold cord.

How to make it: 1. Wrap a matchbox in cover paper. 2. Glue folded page strips on the open side. 3. Seal with Mod Podge and add a gold cord loop.

Vintage Jelly Mould Display

In the dining room at Highclere, old fashioned jelly moulds were part of the decor, a nod to Mrs Beeton, the famous Victorian cook. Copper and glass moulds are often sitting on thrift store shelves for a few dollars. Line them up on a hutch, a sideboard or down the middle of the dining table. Tuck sprigs of greenery and red berries between them. The copper glows beautifully in warm light, and the glass ones sparkle. You can even fill a glass mould with small ornaments for extra color. It is a clever way to decorate with kitchen history. Copper also mixes so well with red and green, the classic Downton Abbey Christmas colors. Have you ever seen these at an antique shop?

You will need: Thrifted copper or glass moulds, faux greenery, red berry picks.

How to make it: 1. Polish copper and wash glass moulds. 2. Arrange them in a row by size. 3. Tuck greenery and berries in between.

Gilded Angel Ornaments

Angels show up in many rooms at Highclere most years, a nod to the original local church, St Michael and All Angels. You can make your own gilded angels with paper doilies and wooden beads. Fold a doily into a cone for the body, then fold a second one for the wings and glue it to the back. Glue a wooden bead on top for the head. Brush the edges with gold paint for that gilded look. Add a ribbon loop and hang them on the tree, or set them on a mantel in a row. They look delicate and old fashioned. Kids and grandkids can help with the folding, too. How many angels would you make for your home?

You will need: Paper doilies, wooden beads, gold paint, glue, thin ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fold one doily into a cone and glue. 2. Glue a folded doily wing to the back and a bead on top. 3. Brush on gold and add a loop.

Grand Staircase Garland for a Downton Abbey Christmas

Few things say grand house like a staircase dressed for Christmas. To get that Downton Abbey Christmas feel, think thick and full. Layer two or three faux garlands together so it looks lush, then wind them around the banister and fasten them with zip ties. Add big red velvet bows every few feet and tuck in a few gold ornaments or gold picks. Let the garland drape down at the bottom post for a dramatic finish. If your stairs are small, just do the bottom section and the newel post. It still looks wonderful. Fluff each branch of the garland as you go so there are no flat spots. Would your guests see the stairs as soon as they walk in?

You will need: Two or three faux garlands, zip ties, red velvet bows, gold picks.

How to make it: 1. Twist garlands together into one thick rope. 2. Wind it on the banister and zip tie in place. 3. Add bows and gold picks every few feet.

Crimson Velvet Bows for a Downton Abbey Christmas

Here is a simple trick that makes any room feel like a country house: put velvet bows everywhere. Tie crimson velvet bows to the top of picture frames, mirrors, chandeliers and the backs of dining chairs. Use florist wire to shape the loops so they stay full and round. Hang them from removable hooks so nothing gets damaged. One roll of good ribbon can make a dozen bows. Keep all the bows the same color and size so they look planned. Walking into a room full of red bows feels instantly festive. This small detail does more for a Downton Abbey Christmas look than almost anything else. Which spot in your home would get the first bow?

You will need: Red velvet ribbon, florist wire, scissors, removable hooks.

How to make it: 1. Make loops and pinch the center with florist wire. 2. Add tails and trim them on a slant. 3. Hang on frames, mirrors and chairs.

Silver and Crystal Christmas Table

A Downton Abbey Christmas dinner calls for a formal table, and it is easier than you think. Start with a crisp white tablecloth. Then shop the thrift store for silver plate trays, serving bowls and cut glass goblets. They are often very cheap because people do not want to polish them. Add your everyday white plates and tuck a sprig of holly on each napkin. A low centerpiece of evergreens and red berries keeps the table elegant and lets everyone see each other. Your family will feel like they are dining upstairs with the Crawleys. Ironing the tablecloth the night before saves a lot of stress. Who would sit at the head of your table?

You will need: White linen, thrifted silver plate, cut glass, white plates, holly sprigs.

How to make it: 1. Lay the cloth and polish the silver. 2. Set plates, glasses and silver pieces. 3. Add holly on napkins and a low green centerpiece.

English Holly and Ivy Garland

Holly and ivy is the most traditional English Christmas greenery of all, and it is easy to recreate. Start with a faux holly garland, then wind long ivy vines through it so they trail down the sides. Drape it along a mantel, a bookshelf or across the top of a big picture frame. The dark green leaves and bright red berries look classic and cheerful. Use a little floral wire to hold the vines in place. If you have real ivy in your yard, you can snip a few pieces to mix in for a fresh touch. It is simple, but it feels so storybook. It is classic Downton Abbey Christmas greenery that never goes out of style. Have you ever sung the old holly and ivy carol?

You will need: Faux holly garland, faux or real ivy vines, floral wire.

How to make it: 1. Lay the holly garland on the mantel. 2. Wind ivy through it and let ends trail. 3. Wire in place where needed.

Gold Leaf Pinecones and Fruit

Gilded fruit and pinecones have been a part of grand holiday tables for centuries. To make your own, gather pinecones and a few faux pears or apples. Brush on a thin coat of Mod Podge, then press on gold leaf sheets and rub them down with a soft brush. For an even easier version, use metallic gold paint. Leave some spots natural so the gold looks old and rich. Pile them in a silver bowl or a footed dish on the dining table or a side table. They catch the light beautifully all day. It is a lovely project for a quiet winter afternoon. Isn’t it fun to turn something from the yard into treasure?

You will need: Pinecones, faux pears, gold leaf or gold paint, Mod Podge, soft brush.

How to make it: 1. Brush Mod Podge on the cones and fruit. 2. Press on gold leaf and smooth with a brush. 3. Let dry and pile them in a bowl.

Christmas Carol Library Corner

Inspired by that library tree at Highclere, create a little reading corner for the season. Choose a comfy chair and add a tartan throw and a velvet pillow. Stack a few classic books on a side table, with A Christmas Carol right on top. Set a small tree with tiny lights on the table or the floor beside it. A battery lamp with a warm glow makes the spot feel cozy any time of day. This corner is the perfect place to read with a cup of tea after the dishes are done. It also makes a lovely spot for holiday photos. Keep a soft blanket folded nearby for chilly evenings. Which classic would you read first?

You will need: Comfy chair, tartan throw, classic books, mini tree, battery lamp.

How to make it: 1. Set the chair by a window or shelf. 2. Add the throw, pillow and books. 3. Place the mini tree and lamp nearby.

Snowy White Downton Abbey Christmas Look

After all that red and gold, Lady Carnarvon has said the next theme at Highclere will be white and snowy. It is a fresh, calm take on a Downton Abbey Christmas. Start with a white flocked tree, or flock a plain green one yourself. Decorate with white, silver and clear glass ornaments, and wind wide white satin ribbon through the branches. Sprinkle faux snow on the mantel and around the tree skirt. Add a few silver angels or stars for a gentle shine. This look works beautifully in a home with neutral colors. Silver and white also look lovely in photos and in the evening light. Would you choose red and gold or snowy white this year?

You will need: White flocked tree, white and silver ornaments, white ribbon, faux snow.

How to make it: 1. Light the tree with warm white lights. 2. Add ribbon, then white and silver ornaments. 3. Finish with faux snow at the base.

Afternoon Tea at Christmas

Afternoon tea is a big part of life on Downton Abbey, both upstairs and downstairs. Set up a Christmas tea for friends or family. Use a thrifted teapot and mismatched china cups for a charming look. A tiered stand filled with shortbread, mince pies and little sandwiches makes it feel special. Lay a lace doily under the cups and tuck sprigs of greenery and a few red berries around the tray. Serve it in the living room by the tree for a cozy afternoon. You do not need fancy china, just a few pretty pieces. A pot of strong black tea and a little milk on the side keeps it authentic. Who would you invite to your Christmas tea?

You will need: Thrifted teapot and cups, tiered stand, lace doily, greenery, treats.

How to make it: 1. Lay the doily on a tray. 2. Set out the teapot, cups and tiered stand. 3. Add treats and tuck in greenery.

Wrapped Gifts Fit for an Earl

Make your presents look like they came from a grand estate. Wrap gifts in gold or cream paper and tie them with red velvet ribbon. For that classic touch, add faux wax seal stickers right on the ribbon knot. They look just like real sealing wax but need no flame at all. Tuck a small sprig of fir or holly under each bow. Stack the gifts under the tree in a neat pile, biggest at the bottom. Handwritten tags in your best cursive finish the look. Your family will almost not want to open them. Gold paper can also be found at the dollar store in big rolls. Are you a wrap early or wrap late kind of person?

You will need: Gold paper, red velvet ribbon, faux wax seal stickers, fir sprigs, tags.

How to make it: 1. Wrap each gift neatly in gold paper. 2. Tie with velvet ribbon and stick a seal on the knot. 3. Tuck in a fir sprig and add a tag.