For a taste of the lifestyle featured in the PBS TV hit series, “Downton Abbey,” without spending the money to cross the pond, CNN correspondent Katia Hetter recommends Filoli as her only California choice for a Downton-like experience.
Filoli is an estate, set on 650 acres in Woodside, Calif., built by William Bourn II between 1915-17. Bourn created the name of his property by combining the first two letters from the key words of his motto: “Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.”
The mansion contains a collection of 16th to 18th century furnishings and art. According to the estate’s tour brochure, “The architecture is an example of the California eclectic style that borrows different elements from many architectural eras.”
The estate also has a formal Renaissance-style garden.
“Here you can recharge your batteries, you can walk hand in hand with the one that you love, listen to the quiet, enjoy the vibrant colors and marvel at what nature has presented to us,” said Christina Syrett, Filoli public relations director. “You can know that this is all available to you as a result of the estate being socially responsible through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
In marking the first day of spring on March 20, the Huffington Post wrote that “each garden (in the NTHP) adds its own historical significance” and “Filoli has the only designated daffodil display garden on the West Coast.”
Famed British landscape designer Penelope Hobhouse visited Filoli in 2010 and said, “Filoli was the most beautiful garden in America.”
The experience is different each visit, as the color patterns change. The daffodil garden filled with over 100,000 blooms, and the tulips appear to be a hot red and orange fire atop lush green stems.
The gardens are overpowering and bring a sense of urgency as to what to see next.
The cherry trees began blooming in a profusion of pink and red blossoms just before Easter, accented by daffodils in a mix of colors from soft white to vibrant yellow.
“More than 1,300 people volunteer at Filoli. The staff are well-trained and have your experience in their hearts,” Syrett said. “Your questions are welcomed and your return is ensured through the NTHP that makes this possible.”
Students can join classes taught by world- renowned teachers in photography, art and horticulture at Filoli. The public can also attend concerts at Filoli.
“Last year 120,000 people came from around the world to visit Filoli,” Syrett said. “This year 150,000 people are slated for entrance to Filoli.”
Visit Filoli online at http://www.filoli.org.
