Dundas Castle near Edinburgh is offering visitors a Downton-esque stay

Its end was mourned by fans the world over after its dramatic final episode in January.

But it seems some Downton Abbey fanatics are still not quite ready to let the show go - and are willing to pay top dollar to keep it alive. 

Wealthy American tourists are forking out £3,000 a day to experience life as portrayed in the popular period drama at Dundas Castle near Edinburgh, with many eager to carry out the thankless tasks of 18th century servants in homage to their Downton favourite characters. 

For the healthy sum a family is invited to bake, polish silver, make beds and even receive a butler tutorial at the 600-year-old castle. 

Since the package launched last year all of those to have signed up have been from the U.S. where the ITV show commands a cult following.

Dundas Castle near Edinburgh (above) offers a tailor-made Downton Abbey experience to guests for £3,000 a day excluding overnight accommodation  

Dundas Castle near Edinburgh (above) offers a tailor-made Downton Abbey experience to guests for £3,000 a day excluding overnight accommodation  

Touting the 'experience', the castle has billed it as the perfect remedy for fans mourning the end of the popular series.

'Whether you want to live like a lord, cook like Mrs Patmore or just learn how things were done in times gone by, the Downton Experience gives Castle guests firsthand experience of life in a grand house,' a description of the attraction said. 

Cooking with the castle owner's private chef and polishing silver are just two of the activities on offer as part of the package. 

Starting from £3,000 a day, the service can even be tailored to replicate guests' favourite Downton Abbey episodes or moments.

The castle, which is owned by Sir Jack and Lady Stewart-Clark, also offers an 'upstairs' experience which includes fine dining and game shooting as part of the day's activities. 

Reenacting favourite servants' quarters scenes is a popular past time for American tourists, say staff at the luxury venue which launched the package in January. Above, a butler at the venue carts luggage to guests' rooms
Jim Carter as Carson on the show

Reenacting favourite servants' quarters scenes is a popular past time for American tourists, say staff at the luxury venue which launched the package in January. Above, a butler at the venue carts luggage to guests' rooms (left) and (right) Jim Carter as Carson on the show

While tourists are offered a choice between the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' experiences, many are opting for the latter. Above, a family more suited to the charms of the castle's more formal settings arrive at the castle 

While tourists are offered a choice between the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' experiences, many are opting for the latter. Above, a family more suited to the charms of the castle's more formal settings arrive at the castle 

Baking a cake is among the activities available as part of the experience, with guests encouraged later to enjoy it in a more formal setting. Above, the show's beloved Mrs Patmore and Daisy at work in the kitchen 

Baking a cake is among the activities available as part of the experience, with guests encouraged later to enjoy it in a more formal setting. Above, the show's beloved Mrs Patmore and Daisy at work in the kitchen 

Speaking of its success, general manager Lucy Scillitoe said staff had been encouraged by the number of visitors travelling from the U.S. to sign up. 

'It has been really popular, it's something that our American guests love to do because the Downton series has been popular worldwide but specifically within the North American market. 

'It's gone down extremely well,' she said, adding that visitors like being able to enjoy the castle in addition to understanding 'a bit of behind the scenes.'  

As well as taking on servants' tasks, guests are encouraged to experience life upstairs, she continued. 

The package also includes a butler tutorial and afternoon tea in one of the house's ornate drawing rooms. Above, its sprawling hallways

The package also includes a butler tutorial and afternoon tea in one of the house's ornate drawing rooms. Above, its sprawling hallways

While many guests enjoy learning the drudgery of downstairs life,  they are also encouraged to lap up the castle's more plush features (including its sumptuous drawing rooms, as seen above) as if they were their own 

While many guests enjoy learning the drudgery of downstairs life,  they are also encouraged to lap up the castle's more plush features (including its sumptuous drawing rooms, as seen above) as if they were their own 

'It's always a combination. It's always the two combined so they get to do both. A family may go in and bake a cake with Sir Jack's cook and then enjoy afternoon tea later with the cake that they've made being served to them.' 

Anyone yearning to revive Downton's beloved Carson may enjoy a butler tutorial where guests are told 'how to address people and how to pack luggage' in the style of the character.   

Downton Abbey commands a vast audience in the U.S. and has won 13 Emmy Awards since it began in 2011. Its final episode was aired on PBS and drew in 9.6 million viewers - three million more than tuned in to watch the show in the UK.  

The show - which is filmed at Highclere Castle (pictured) in Hampshire - draws huge viewer numbers on US network PBS and has earned 13 Emmy Awards since first airing in 2011

The show - which is filmed at Highclere Castle (pictured) in Hampshire - draws huge viewer numbers on US network PBS and has earned 13 Emmy Awards since first airing in 2011

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