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It's become very chilly for the Crawley family as Downton Abbey's Christmas Special continues filming - in August.

The award-winning ITV period drama - which has moved from the usual Downton Abbey estate to Alnwick Castle in Northumberland to film the snowy special - has transformed the castle and the village into a magical winter wonderland, despite the heat of August.

Even the village's historic Bailiffgate has gone from a hot and humid August hotspot to a cold, wintry December place, while the pub, The crown and Anchor, has turned into a warm haven in the middle of a frozen scene.

Though it's not all been so cold and chilly for the Crawley family as Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) can be seen having a nice stroll by the river opposite the castle.

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Though that will surely be transformed into a frozen scene by the magic of television in post-production.

Scores of extras have been brought in for the major production, which is being filmed at the castle - which is most famous for being Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.

Not much is known about the plot for the Christmas special, though some of Downton's most heartbreaking moments have happened in the specials.

Most high profile being the bittersweet death of Matthew Crawley in a car crash in the 2012 special as his wife Lady Mary gave birth to his son, heir of Downton.

* Downton Abbey's Christmas Special will air on ITV over the Christmas period while series 5 is believed to start in the autumn

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