Highclere Castle- Home of Downton Abbey

NB - Before booking with us please check availability of ticket with Highclere themselves. Here is the link:  Highclere Bookings 

A day trip to Highclere Castle, the iconic home of Downton Abbey, will be a memorable experience. With a private driver guide, you'll be collected from your hotel in an executive standard car and driven to the door of Highclere. 

The Castle is, of course, the main highlight of the trip, set in a magnificent estate of 5000 acres it's an architectural gem, built in1679 with a rich history and stunning gardens added Capabily Brown in the 18th century . You'll explore the grand rooms, including the library, drawing room, and dining hall, which you may recognize from the TV series. Although guiding within the house is discouraged the many custodians on hand love answering questions and are very knowledgeable on both the history and the contents of the house. They may even have some below stairs gossip on Lord Grantham and his family to share!

Egyptian Exhibition: Highclere Castle houses a fascinating Egyptian Exhibition, showcasing the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discoveries in Egypt, including the tomb of Tutankhamun. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the castle's connection to Egyptology. 

Gardens and Grounds: The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens and expansive grounds. Take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, enjoy the serene landscapes, and appreciate the picturesque views that have served as backdrops in the show.

Tea Room and Gift Shop: After your tour, you can relax in the castle's tea room and savor traditional English tea and delicious treats. Of course there is a gift shop, where you can find Downton Abbey memorabilia and souvenirs to commemorate your visit, ideal presents for friends and family who are also fans of the show.

Village of Downton: If time permits, your private driver guide can take you to the nearby village used for filming exterior shots of Downton Abbey. You can explore the charming streets, visit the church, and perhaps find familiar locations from the series.

If Mark is your guide he can share his experiences of meeting both Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonniville) and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) while working in the film business. (spoiler: they were both lovely!)