About Highclere Castle
Home of the 8th Earl & Countess of Carnarvon and the film location of Downton Abbey
Highclere Castle Description
Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679. Built on an ancient site, the original house was recorded in the Domesday Book.
The present day Castle was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect also responsible for building the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
The Castle’s history also includes a fascinating connection with ancient Egypt, as the 5th Earl, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. The Castle houses an exhibition that commemorates this historic event, including some rare antiquities from the 5th Earl's earlier Egyptian excavations.
We welcome many visitors each year to view the Castle, the Egyptian Exhibition and the surrounding Grounds and Gardens.
This unique setting is also available for private events, corporate events and film locations.
We are open on set dates throughout the year. Please see our website for our opening times and prices - https://www. highclerecastle. co. uk /public-opening-times-and-prices .
Reviews
Find out what happened when eight Canadians were given the experience of a lifetime...
Did you miss out on buying a ticket this summer? We have released extra availability for Thursday 23rd August ONLY https://highclerecastleshop.co.uk/…/adm ission-tickets-summer
Have you ever dreamed of staying at "Downton Abbey"?
The sun sets at the end of another week at Highclere, our staff are pressing shirts and shining shoes ready to welcome you tomorrow
📸: Paul McTaggart
Excited about the Downton Movie? Want some insider knowledge? Come and hear Julian Fellowes speak on Sunday 9th September!
Tickets limited: https://bit.ly/1o4vRN1
Our secret library door - a perfect hideaway, a precious escape, a covert portal to a quiet read #BookLoversDay
We are delighted to announce the arrival of Pig 1 and Pig 2 - in desperate need of better names! Both female, can you help us?
"The whole evening had a wonderful atmosphere with nearly 10,000 people talking, laughing and singing more or less together!"
POLITE REMINDER: You can purchase ‘on the day’ tickets for the Castle, Egyptian Exhibition or Gardens from our fabulous team at Visitor Reception (featuring Ted 🐶) ANY Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday until 4th September when we shut for filming!
Ever wondered how to set the table properly?
For those joining us at Battle Proms tomorrow, don't forget we are open as normal on Sunday! Explore the castle from the inside and discover Tutankhamen in our basement
Edward would tell us about the weather. His father would receive it in an irritated voice: “Why do I want to know about the weather? I can see the weather, why he can’t he write about something else?”
We are so grateful to our primary sponsor Viking Cruises for all their support as we support those who serve and those who save at our Heroes at Highclere weekend!
www.vikingcruises.co.uk
Best-selling Author ROBERT HARRIS will be in our Speaker's Tent during our Heroes at Highclere weekend!
Tickets selling fast, book now to avoid disappointment https://bit.ly/1o4vRN1
Far I hear the steady drummer Drumming like a noise in dreams.
Far and near and low and louder On the roads of earth go by,... Dear to friends and food for powder, Soldiers marching, all to die…….
None that go return again.
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We finally got the rain we were desperate for and this tree is welling up with happiness!
Credits to the ever-creative Paul McTaggart https://bit.ly/2O8fLmW
What a fabulous visit today to Highclere Castle. Very welcoming from start to finish. Great staff on hand to give you information. Will be back for another visit. Stunning surroundings too.
We had an incredible time visiting Highclere Castle. We weren't able to pre-purchase tickets online but decided to try our luck anyway. We arrived at noon and were able to purchase tickets at the door! Completely worth the time, and don't miss the garden!
We had a truly lovely day on Monday, May 21st, starting with “Script to Screen” guest speaker Nigel McCrery, and I did take professional notes, as I am a high school English and theatre arts teacher, and hearing of his dyslexia and how he found his way as a student through it into a successful writing career was a true testimony and opportunity for arts advocacy.
We then spent our afternoon walking and enjoying the gardens—once before our afternoon tea and again following, before the glorious rain. The azaleas, iris, white garden, secret garden, the Victorian hot houses, the view of the rolling hills, the sounds of lambs bleating, the booming thunder, the kindnesses in service by the staff, and of course, your home all made our journey so worthwhile.
My mother-in-law spoke of hopefully returning for another Highclere event, and I will gladly arrange it and be her travel partner!
We came over from the USA � on holiday and we were so fortunate that Highclere was doing a special autumn tour. We were absolutely delighted with the place and thrilled when Lady Carnarvon spoke to us all gathered at the main staircase. Wow what an experience the whole place is a must see if you are coming to the UK. There is also an exhibition in the cellars of Highclere portraying Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamen tomb in Egypt. I was never aware of this historical connection and this was indeed a bonus to our stay. As this was a special tour we were all treated to a beautiful spread of cakes and sandwiches with tea or coffee in the little café they have there. Then to top it all Lady Carnarvon had her photo taken with us in the courtyard ! This was just wonderful and a memory that will stay with us for the rest of our days
We learnt so much and was enthralled with the whole experience. Thank you Lady Carnarvon for making this visit the highlight of our UK visit �
Today we attended the Tour and taste the recipes , and I have to say what an amazing time we had. All the staff were lovely very helpful and very knowledgeable, because we have had snow we parked just outside the gates and had the Earl himself drive us up to the house . We met Lady Carnarvon who chatted freely with us all. It's an amazing house with a lot of history after seeing the house we went to taste same of the recipes that Mary Berry cooked on the tv programme which were delicious.
Thankyou so much for a lovely experience.
Clive and Tracey Healey.
This was the absolute best part of our trip over from the states!!! Even if I wasn’t the world’s biggest Downton Abbey fan, it would still have been amazing. The coolest surprise was Lord Carvarvon leading the garden part of the tour - he is so knowledgeable and genuinely loves and cares for his estate - really neat to witness! Our tour guide for the interior, Molly, had lived nearby all her long life, so she had all sorts of real life tidbits to add.
As a fan of Downton Abbey, I was pleasantly surprised by how exactly like the film parts of the house are - I kept looking for Carson to come around the corner at any minute🤣 The castle and grounds are just gorgeous, and I am so glad we chose this tour as our 15th anniversary present to ourselves. Thank you to all of the friendly staff for sharing this special place with us!
One has to visit Highclere Castle to appreciate what a beautiful place this magnificent place it is. Grounds are just breathtaking and building is gorgeous and meticulously kept. The people who work at the castle are from the surrounding town and they are just delightful. Countess Fiona of Carnarvon and Earl of Carnarvon are nicest people you will meet and greet and they welcome all visitors with warmth and generosity. It will be an amazing day that you have decided to spend in this amazing place on earth. True representation of British Culture.
Me and my fiancé visited yesterday for the Vintage Tea Party it was amazing. Being a massive Downton fan to stand in the rooms where the programme is filmed was incredible. The food was lovely and there was so much of it. We also met Lady Carnarvon who took time to speak to us which was lovely. The only disappointing part of the day was there was meant to be a photographer in the house to capture your memories as you're not allowed to take photos in the house yourself and he/she was no where to be seen. I would have loved a photo of me on the stairs or in the house somewhere. Well worth a visit 😊😊
It's so nice that a family home is opened to the public allowing us to traipse around.. I would highly recommend a visit, you don't even have to be a Downtown Abbey fan to enjoy this trip out... Since going there in January visiting the grounds as the caste wasn't open, we were able to walk into the grounds to take a picture of the house but at a distance when Lady Carnarvon drove past in her car several moments later she drove back towards the Castle and stopped to chat with us, this is when I became a fan of hers...
It's the way she is as a person, she's a real Lady not just someone with a title but as a person, she's genuine, she has a big heart and so passionate about her home, people around her, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty and muck in...
So when I was able to get tickets to view Highclere today with a big Downton Abbey fan who had come all the way from New Zealand, we had a lovely morning touring the Castle and the Egyptian Exhibition, the guides were awesome, friendly and approachable.. It was nice to see so much history in the rooms, even having present day family photos was nice... I thoroughly recommend you won't be disappointed whatsoever.. I know I'm going back to take another kiwi friend for a visit in the summer... With the added bonus of seeing one of my own distant relatives hanging on their wall in the State Dining Room, I also have a garter pistol that my mum got from one of as well as Howard Carter's nephew that frequented my Nanna's pub..
It is everything you think it will be multiplied by 1000. Beautiful house which feels like a home. Friendly, helpful and cheerful staff. Can not fault it. Thank you. Tx
I visited on my birthday and it was so awesome! Always wanted to go where Downton Abbey was filmed and I do like history. It was a great day!
I had the privelige to visit your beautiful castle today. And though the weather was not the best we still had an memorable tour in the castle. I am really so thankful that lord and lady Carnarvron opens up thair home for us to admire!
Highclere Castle went above & beyond today in the midst of soggy circumstances! Thanks to everyone who made a way for us to visit. Truly amazing! �
Highclere Castle is outstanding. Saw it in a dream and been looking for it all over the web yesterday! I viewed it from the top down to the bottom, like a falling bird.
I peeped into a french window and saw lit up the chimney (I hate fire). I thought it be wonderful to use it as for Christmas hanging stockings :D
I didn´t know it was the set of Downton Abbey (and I never followed the series neither, because we had the cable taken off :(
Fab day out, gorgeous setting, the grounds are stunning, and even better for those who watched "Downton Abbey", and the weather was fab too!!
Came here with my sister Janet, pat and tony
Loved it �it's beautiful and as im a big fan of Downton abbey was well worth the visit( all they way from Perth western Australia ) The gardens are stunning Could have spent the whole day here definitely love to come again one day when im next in England
Booked the special March tour for one of my husband's 60th birthday presents. What an amazing afternoon we had. Our guide was so knowledgeable and entertained us with historic facts and the goings on during the filming of Downton Abbey. We were delighted that Lord Carnarvon lead the garden tour. The Egyptian exhibition was very interesting and an added bonus. Thanks for our spread of assorted cakes, sandwiches and hot food. Overall enthralled with the whole experience, thanks to everyone at Highclere Castle xx
As huge Downton Abbey fans, this was a much anticipated visit for us. The front door and entryway were jaw-dropping. We saw the familiar rooms from the series and found the rooms surprisingly lived-in and cozy. The saloon was beautiful with the second storey balconies overlooking it. The lunch on site was delicious and warm even on a chilly day.
Our only suggestion would be to present the dining room in full glory with all 12 leaves, place settings and silverware as we've seen in other historic homes.
We weren't really impressed with the Egyptian exhibit, as it was underground and stuffy.
Overall, it was a lovely experience and really brought Downton Abbey to life!
I'm glad I'm a HHA member so didn't have to pay the asking price of £22 per a person !
You could only walk through a maximum of six rooms, the other six rooms are always roped off at the door way so you can just look in.
You walk round the one way circuit all in one big line to peer into a room over a rope, then walk down corridor to next room and so on till you reach the exit.
I feel like most things the price is atleast double due to a tv show being filmed there as we have visited other places at a far cheaper cost and could walk into rooms with or without a guided tour.
Would not visit again.
What a fabulous visit today to Highclere Castle. Very welcoming from start to finish. Great staff on hand to give you information. Will be back for another visit. Stunning surroundings too.
We had an incredible time visiting Highclere Castle. We weren't able to pre-purchase tickets online but decided to try our luck anyway. We arrived at noon and were able to purchase tickets at the door! Completely worth the time, and don't miss the garden!
We had a truly lovely day on Monday, May 21st, starting with “Script to Screen” guest speaker Nigel McCrery, and I did take professional notes, as I am a high school English and theatre arts teacher, and hearing of his dyslexia and how he found his way as a student through it into a successful writing career was a true testimony and opportunity for arts advocacy.
We then spent our afternoon walking and enjoying the gardens—once before our afternoon tea and again following, before the glorious rain. The azaleas, iris, white garden, secret garden, the Victorian hot houses, the view of the rolling hills, the sounds of lambs bleating, the booming thunder, the kindnesses in service by the staff, and of course, your home all made our journey so worthwhile.
My mother-in-law spoke of hopefully returning for another Highclere event, and I will gladly arrange it and be her travel partner!
We came over from the USA � on holiday and we were so fortunate that Highclere was doing a special autumn tour. We were absolutely delighted with the place and thrilled when Lady Carnarvon spoke to us all gathered at the main staircase. Wow what an experience the whole place is a must see if you are coming to the UK. There is also an exhibition in the cellars of Highclere portraying Lord Carnarvon's excavation of Tutankhamen tomb in Egypt. I was never aware of this historical connection and this was indeed a bonus to our stay. As this was a special tour we were all treated to a beautiful spread of cakes and sandwiches with tea or coffee in the little café they have there. Then to top it all Lady Carnarvon had her photo taken with us in the courtyard ! This was just wonderful and a memory that will stay with us for the rest of our days
We learnt so much and was enthralled with the whole experience. Thank you Lady Carnarvon for making this visit the highlight of our UK visit �
Today we attended the Tour and taste the recipes , and I have to say what an amazing time we had. All the staff were lovely very helpful and very knowledgeable, because we have had snow we parked just outside the gates and had the Earl himself drive us up to the house . We met Lady Carnarvon who chatted freely with us all. It's an amazing house with a lot of history after seeing the house we went to taste same of the recipes that Mary Berry cooked on the tv programme which were delicious.
Thankyou so much for a lovely experience.
Clive and Tracey Healey.
This was the absolute best part of our trip over from the states!!! Even if I wasn’t the world’s biggest Downton Abbey fan, it would still have been amazing. The coolest surprise was Lord Carvarvon leading the garden part of the tour - he is so knowledgeable and genuinely loves and cares for his estate - really neat to witness! Our tour guide for the interior, Molly, had lived nearby all her long life, so she had all sorts of real life tidbits to add.
As a fan of Downton Abbey, I was pleasantly surprised by how exactly like the film parts of the house are - I kept looking for Carson to come around the corner at any minute🤣 The castle and grounds are just gorgeous, and I am so glad we chose this tour as our 15th anniversary present to ourselves. Thank you to all of the friendly staff for sharing this special place with us!
One has to visit Highclere Castle to appreciate what a beautiful place this magnificent place it is. Grounds are just breathtaking and building is gorgeous and meticulously kept. The people who work at the castle are from the surrounding town and they are just delightful. Countess Fiona of Carnarvon and Earl of Carnarvon are nicest people you will meet and greet and they welcome all visitors with warmth and generosity. It will be an amazing day that you have decided to spend in this amazing place on earth. True representation of British Culture.
Me and my fiancé visited yesterday for the Vintage Tea Party it was amazing. Being a massive Downton fan to stand in the rooms where the programme is filmed was incredible. The food was lovely and there was so much of it. We also met Lady Carnarvon who took time to speak to us which was lovely. The only disappointing part of the day was there was meant to be a photographer in the house to capture your memories as you're not allowed to take photos in the house yourself and he/she was no where to be seen. I would have loved a photo of me on the stairs or in the house somewhere. Well worth a visit 😊😊
It's so nice that a family home is opened to the public allowing us to traipse around.. I would highly recommend a visit, you don't even have to be a Downtown Abbey fan to enjoy this trip out... Since going there in January visiting the grounds as the caste wasn't open, we were able to walk into the grounds to take a picture of the house but at a distance when Lady Carnarvon drove past in her car several moments later she drove back towards the Castle and stopped to chat with us, this is when I became a fan of hers...
It's the way she is as a person, she's a real Lady not just someone with a title but as a person, she's genuine, she has a big heart and so passionate about her home, people around her, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty and muck in...
So when I was able to get tickets to view Highclere today with a big Downton Abbey fan who had come all the way from New Zealand, we had a lovely morning touring the Castle and the Egyptian Exhibition, the guides were awesome, friendly and approachable.. It was nice to see so much history in the rooms, even having present day family photos was nice... I thoroughly recommend you won't be disappointed whatsoever.. I know I'm going back to take another kiwi friend for a visit in the summer... With the added bonus of seeing one of my own distant relatives hanging on their wall in the State Dining Room, I also have a garter pistol that my mum got from one of as well as Howard Carter's nephew that frequented my Nanna's pub..
It is everything you think it will be multiplied by 1000. Beautiful house which feels like a home. Friendly, helpful and cheerful staff. Can not fault it. Thank you. Tx
I visited on my birthday and it was so awesome! Always wanted to go where Downton Abbey was filmed and I do like history. It was a great day!
I had the privelige to visit your beautiful castle today. And though the weather was not the best we still had an memorable tour in the castle. I am really so thankful that lord and lady Carnarvron opens up thair home for us to admire!
Highclere Castle went above & beyond today in the midst of soggy circumstances! Thanks to everyone who made a way for us to visit. Truly amazing! �
Highclere Castle is outstanding. Saw it in a dream and been looking for it all over the web yesterday! I viewed it from the top down to the bottom, like a falling bird.
I peeped into a french window and saw lit up the chimney (I hate fire). I thought it be wonderful to use it as for Christmas hanging stockings :D
I didn´t know it was the set of Downton Abbey (and I never followed the series neither, because we had the cable taken off :(
Fab day out, gorgeous setting, the grounds are stunning, and even better for those who watched "Downton Abbey", and the weather was fab too!!
Came here with my sister Janet, pat and tony
Loved it �it's beautiful and as im a big fan of Downton abbey was well worth the visit( all they way from Perth western Australia ) The gardens are stunning Could have spent the whole day here definitely love to come again one day when im next in England
Booked the special March tour for one of my husband's 60th birthday presents. What an amazing afternoon we had. Our guide was so knowledgeable and entertained us with historic facts and the goings on during the filming of Downton Abbey. We were delighted that Lord Carnarvon lead the garden tour. The Egyptian exhibition was very interesting and an added bonus. Thanks for our spread of assorted cakes, sandwiches and hot food. Overall enthralled with the whole experience, thanks to everyone at Highclere Castle xx
As huge Downton Abbey fans, this was a much anticipated visit for us. The front door and entryway were jaw-dropping. We saw the familiar rooms from the series and found the rooms surprisingly lived-in and cozy. The saloon was beautiful with the second storey balconies overlooking it. The lunch on site was delicious and warm even on a chilly day.
Our only suggestion would be to present the dining room in full glory with all 12 leaves, place settings and silverware as we've seen in other historic homes.
We weren't really impressed with the Egyptian exhibit, as it was underground and stuffy.
Overall, it was a lovely experience and really brought Downton Abbey to life!
I'm glad I'm a HHA member so didn't have to pay the asking price of £22 per a person !
You could only walk through a maximum of six rooms, the other six rooms are always roped off at the door way so you can just look in.
You walk round the one way circuit all in one big line to peer into a room over a rope, then walk down corridor to next room and so on till you reach the exit.
I feel like most things the price is atleast double due to a tv show being filmed there as we have visited other places at a far cheaper cost and could walk into rooms with or without a guided tour.
Would not visit again.