Downton Shabby

One American's Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family's English Castle

By: Hopwood DePree

Narrated by: Graham Halstead

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

HGTV meets Downton Abbey! A ready-for-TV story—with charm and humor in abundance—about a Los Angeles producer who moves to England to save his ancestral castle from ruin.

Hollywood producer Hopwood DePree had been told as a boy that an ancestor—who he was named for—had left his family’s English castle in the 1700s to come to America. One night after some wine and a visit to Ancestry.com, Hopwood discovered a photograph of a magnificent English estate with a familiar name: Hopwood Hall, a 60-room, 600-year-old grand manor on 5,000 acres. And with that, Hopwood DePree’s life took an almost fairytale turn.

Hopwood Hall, in northwest England, was indeed his family’s ancestral home. It had been occupied continuously by the Hopwood family for five centuries until the last remaining male heirs were killed in World War I. Since then, the Hall had fallen gradually into disrepair and was close to collapse. When Hopwood visited, he discovered trees growing in the chimneys, holes in the roof, and water sluicing down walls. It would take many millions to save the Hall—millions that Hopwood certainly didn’t have—but despite the fact that he lived in Los Angeles and had no construction skills, Hopwood DePree came to a conclusion: He would save Hopwood Hall.

Downton Shabby—the name Hopwood coined for the glorious ruin—traces Hopwood DePree’s adventures as he gives up his life in Hollywood and moves permanently to England to save Hopwood Hall from ruin. But the task is far too big for one person, of course. Hopwood discovers that the Hall comes with an unforgettable cast of new neighbors he can call on for help—from the electrician whose mum had fond memories of working at the Hall to gruff caretaker Bob, and the local aristocrats who (sort of) come to accept Hopwood as one of their own. Together, as they navigate the trials and triumphs of trying to save an actual castle, Hopwood finds himself ever further from the security of his old life, but comes to realize that, actually, he’s never been closer to home.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Hopwood DePree (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Penelope

I enjoyed listening to this book about Hipwood Hall. I recommend this book to anybody that loves history.

An Unexpected Delight!

I loved Hopwood’s unexpected British journey through history and into a new life via an old, but beloved, building! Hearing about all the challenges he faces and the new friends he makes is mesmerizing. Now I am hoping for a sequel, or maybe even my own castle to fix up!

Amazing book!

It makes me want to check my family history! So exciting to think of what your ancestors were like… this book follows the exploits of Hopwood, who discovers his funny name connects him to a mansion in England. “Hopwood Hall” however is in disrepair and it is up to Hopwood to save it!
It made me laugh, it made me cry!

Whimsical Entertaining and Inspiring

I cannot recommend this book enough. What a clever, magical and truly inspiring read. I’ve already sent it to many friends and family and am planning my trek across the pond to relive this book in person.

Off to England

First time reviewing a book.. Loved the story, loved the narration can't wait for a follow up I'm hooked.

Extremely engaging!

Loved it! I thoroughly enjoyed it! I highly recommend. Hopwood's story is humorous and moving.

A light-hearted fun read.

This story takes you on such an interesting journey of Hopwood not only finding a new life project, but also discovering parts of himself. I like the way he talks about how his attitudes about life change as he becomes immersed in his new life in England. It is impressive that he cares so much for him family--that was admirable!

The narration is excellent also.

If you want an uplifting story this is a great choice.

A magical journey through time!

Absolutely loved this tale of struggle and growth to save a grand ancestral home! Fabulous!

Amazing story!

Super entertaining listen, incredible story!
The fact that the story is real makes it even better.
A must read!

Finding purpose, and a future, in the past

This is a wonderfully entertaining memoir about an American actor and producer who voluntarily gives up his career and home in sunny Hollywood to move to rainy northern England to direct a madcap effort to preserve his family's ramshackle ancestral home. The country manor, parts of which are 600 years old, is maybe a decade from being too far gone to preserve. In fact, some of the locals already refer to it as a "pile." The guy's visa application is nearly denied by English officials question why anyone in his right mind would desire take this on. But on every page the reader discovers -- along with author Hopwood DePree himself -- why directing this monumental restoration effort could become his life's work. There's honest soul searching. There's delight of discovering the fabric one is cut from, There are funny clashes between two cultures which share a language. There's a curmudgeonly caretaker, a cranky neighbor, and an environmentally conscious ghost that roams the hall. This story of a madcap midlife crisis will introduce you to the nuts and bolts of wholesale historic preservation attempts. The tale is charming.