Name: Highclere Castle
Rating: 5.0

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

1854
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Description

Highclere Castle has been transformed from its roots in Anglo Saxon Times to a medieval palace, a Tudor place house, a Georgian house and today this iconic Victorian Castle. It sits within a park designed by Capability Brown in the eighteenth century.

There are between 250 and 300 rooms in the Castle Saloon and during your tour you will explore the main state rooms so familiar from "Downtown Abbey". You will see some of the bedrooms after which you will follow the stairs down to the cellars and old staff quarters where you will find the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Price starts from £200 per person for Highclere Castle Tour & Afternoon Tea. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Friends of Highclere Castle Tour & Afternoon Tea: Come and join us to celebrate the new Downton Abbey film with a delightful Champagne Afternoon Tea in the State Dining Room. This is a one-off event for Patrons and Friends of Highclere and is not available to those without memberships.
Friends Guided Tours, September & October: As a cherished Friend of Highclere, we would love to invite you to experience an exclusive guided tour of Highclere Castle designed especially for you on the 16th or 26th September 2025 and 10th or 16th October 4.30pm. While steeped in rich and varied history, and now known to millions through the success of Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle also retains the warmth and welcome of a much-loved family home.
Christmas: Although Highclere cannot promise snow, we look forward to welcoming guests for a variety of tours, teas, carols, and book talks this festive season.
Real Lives & Film Sets: For many of us “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower”. The golden hued hills behind the Castle offer a spectacular backdrop to enjoy a guided tour of both a much-loved real home – Highclere Castle – and a much-loved fictional home, Downton Abbey. The first Downton film was made in the autumn before being such a box office success the next year.
Wintertime Castle Guided Tours: Experience a special guided tour of Highclere Castle, known to millions as the set of the much-loved Downton Abbey TV series and films.
Downton Abbey and Tutankhamun: Which extraordinary story most entrances you? Perhaps the on-screen journey of the Grantham family of Downton Abbey? Or maybe the real-life story of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter.
Spring Public: They are delighted to offer the opportunity to join us in 2026 for our Spring Public Opening. Please read through the information below. Dates and availability can be viewed on the calendar at the bottom of this page. Please note, amongst the Spring dates, our annual charity Easter Egg Trail will be taking place on Saturday 11th April.
Summer Public: They are closed to the public on Friday and Saturday each week. Please read through the information below. Availability can be viewed on the calendar at the foot of this page.

Facilities

What to see

Highclere Castle: The first written records of the estate date back to 749 AD when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, in 1679, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon. In 1842, Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, transformed Highclere House into the present day Highclere Castle.
Highclere's Gardens: Records show the gardens were first developed here during the 13th century. Today you are welcome to explore the original Monk's Garden, the Secret Garden, the White Border, the Wood of Goodwill, the Rose Arbour, the Wild Flower Meadow and, nearer the Castle, the Healing Herb garden.
The Highclere Estate: The boundaries of Highclere Castle Estate were marked out in Anglo Saxon times when the Estate was owned by the Bishops of Winchester. We've been farming here for centuries with an overriding sense of respect for those we share the land with, be it, the insects, birds and all of the wonderful wildlife that calls the Estate its home.
Downton Abbey: Downton Abbey has charmed over 400 million people around the world and Highclere has been so fortunate to have been part of the journey. Of all the much-love fictional characters the Castle plays its starring role beautifully - even if we are all slightly biased! the first Downton Abbey television series was filmed in 2010 at Highclere Castle and continued for six years followed by a number of films!
Lady Carnarvon: Lord and Lady Carnarvon are both deeply involved with the Castle and the Estate. Lord Carnarvon's passion for the land, the farm and sustainability drives everything he does. Together they have interpreted and reinvented Highclere's role as an estate in the modern world.

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Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Friends of Highclere Castle Tour & Afternoon Tea(19th/20th Sept): £200 per person which includes a gift bag.
September & October Friends of Highclere Guided Tours: £120pp which includes Lady Carnarvon’s latest book, ‘A Year at Highclere’.
Christmas: £65.00 for Adult & £15.00 for Child.
Real Lives & Film Sets Guided Tours: £140 per Adult & £85 per Child(4-16 years old).
Wintertime Castle Guided Tours January 2026: £140pp & £85 for Child(ages 4-16).
Springtime Guided Tours March 2026: £140 for Adult & £85 for Child.
Downton Abbey to Tutankhamun: £140 for Adult & £85 for Child.
Living with a Film Crew: £95 for Adult & £55 for Carer.
Castle Tour, Egyptian Exhibition, Gardens & Afternoon Tea 2026: £85 for Adult & £80 for Over 65.
Teas, Tours and Timeless Tales. Guided Tours and English Gardens. June 2026: £140pp & £85 for Child(4-16 years).

Spring Public Opening 2026:

Castle, Egyptian Exhibition & Gardens: £32.00 for Adult, £17.50 for Child(4-16 years) & £87.00 for Family(2 Adults, 2 Children).
Castle & Gardens: £25.00 for Adult, £15.00 for Child(4-16 years) & £70.00 for Family(2 Adults, 2 Children).

Summer Public Opening 2026:

Castle, Egyptian Exhibition & Gardens: £32.00 for Adult, £17.50 for Child(4-16 years) & £87.00 for Family(2 Adults, 2 Children).
Castle & Gardens: £25.00 for Adult, £15.00 for Child(4-16 years) & £70.00 for Family(2 Adults, 2 Children).

Pricing URL: https://highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/admission-tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Monday: 10 am–2:30 pm
Tuesday: 10 am–2:30 pm
Thursday: 9 am–1:30 pm
Friday: 12:30–4:30 pm
Saturday: 11 am–2 pm
Sunday - Wednesday: Closed

Address: Highclere Castle, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN, UK

Post Code: RG20 9RN

Council: Basingstoke and Dean

County: Hampshire

BY CAR: Highclere Castle lies to the west of London, not far from the M4 and Newbury. Oxford and Birmingham are to the north, Winchester and Southampton to the south. Please do not use a “sat nav” when close to Highclere Castle as this will bring you to the wrong entrance, but simply follow the brown tourist signs from the A34. If you do wish to use sat nav, use the postcode RG20 9LE and then follow the brown tourist signs to the main entrance.
BY TRAIN: There is a train good service from London Paddington to Newbury. Taxis can be found outside the station at Newbury. For details of railway timetables to Newbury Railway Station (NBY), please follow this link. A taxi from Newbury Station to Highclere Castle takes approximately 15 minutes. Charges will vary on Sundays and over Bank Holidays. Alternatively, London Waterloo to Andover which is about 20 minutes away.
TAXI COMPANIES: Cabco: 01635 33333 | www.cabco33333.co.uk. Wheels Taxis: 0750 070 0961 | www.wheelstaxis.co.uk. Go Green Taxis: 01635 800 990 | www.gogreentaxisltd.co.uk