Highclere Castle

About

Highclere Castle, rising above the Hampshire countryside, is one of England’s most recognisable stately homes and the ancestral seat of the Earls of Carnarvon. Its roots stretch back to the medieval period, but the castle as seen today was transformed in the 19th century when architect Sir Charles Barry—famed for the Houses of Parliament—redesigned it in a grand Jacobethan style. The result is a dramatic silhouette of towers, pinnacles, and ornate stonework. Inside, Highclere holds centuries of stories. One of the most fascinating is its connection to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The 5th Earl of Carnarvon financed Howard Carter’s expedition, and the castle still preserves an impressive Egyptian collection linked to their work. During the First World War, Highclere served as a hospital for wounded soldiers, and in the Second World War it sheltered evacuee children. In recent years, the castle gained global fame as the primary filming location for Downton Abbey, bringing renewed attention to its history and architecture. Yet beyond the screen, Highclere remains a living estate, surrounded by sweeping parkland designed by Capability Brown.

Newbury United Kingdom

Location

Highclere Castle is located in Hampshire, set within a vast estate of parkland between Newbury and Basingstoke. The house sits on a hill surrounded by 1,000 acres of Capability Brown-designed landscape, with views over woods, fields, and follies. While it feels deeply rural, it’s only a short drive from the A34 and easily reached from London, Oxford, or Winchester. This Victorian castle is the ancestral home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and is world-famous as the filming location for Downton Abbey. Visitors can tour the grand state rooms, library, saloon, and the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars, which tells the story of the 5th Earl’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Seasonal events, gardens, and afternoon teas add to the experience. Right nearby, the estate itself offers woodland walks, formal gardens, and the Monks’ Garden. A short drive takes you to the market town of Newbury, with West Berkshire Museum, Shaw House, and the Kennet and Avon Canal for waterside strolls. Also close are Donnington Castle’s Civil War ruins, the North Wessex Downs for scenic countryside, and the historic towns of Whitchurch and Winchester with their cathedral and shops. Highclere Castle blends aristocratic heritage, television fame, and classic English landscapes, making it a standout stop in Hampshire.