When the last episode of “Downton Abbey” airs on March 6, fans won’t have to clutch their opera-length pearls alone.

Eileen Hornor, “countess of Cumberland,” is planning a weekend of festivities at the Brunswick Inn, where guests can sip 1920s-era cocktails like the Crawleys do and dine on canapes such as potted shrimp, pâté and chutney, and caviar and smoked salmon. (Don’t spill, lest Mr. Carson give you one of his looks.) Horner, who owns the inn, will co-host the event with a local “Downton Abbey” superfan, Will Cheever of Brunswick.

The event will begin with wine and cheese on the evening of March 4, followed on Saturday by a “Farewell to Downton” dinner party (costumes are required) March 5 that opens with the canapes and then moves “downstairs” for a family-style dinner prepared by Mrs. Patmore, also known as chef Ali Waks-Adams.

The English country dinner menu includes Chicken in the Heather (a traditional Scottish dish) and Roast Pork with Crackling and Apples, some sides, and desserts such as Bread and Butter Pudding and Eton Mess. Hopefully, the Earl of Grantham will stay in his bed, recuperating from his ulcer, so no one throws up on the table as he did in Episode 5 this season.

But no storied estate rests on food alone. The Brunswick Inn is also hosting a Downton trivia contest and a costume contest. The prize for best costume – a bottle of wine – comes from Cheever’s private cellar.

The dinner costs $70, including tax, gratuity and sparkling wine.

For guests who want to stay for the entire weekend, the inn is offering a weekend rate of $429 that includes two nights’ stay, the wine-and-cheese gathering Friday night and a full English breakfast on Sunday morning. Dinner guests who want to stay over just Saturday night will receive 20 percent off regular room rates.

For more information or reservations, call 729-4914.

Related Stories