Ever wondered what it’s like to spend an evening at Highclere Castle? Get the inside scoop on my visit to a Champagne, Canapés, Carols and House Tours evening at The Real Downton Abbey.
I’ve visited Highclere Castle before, but I’ve never attended a function there. My husband and I were very excited to be able to buy tickets to a Champagne and Canapés Reception to benefit the RAF100 Appeal.
An Evening at Highclere Castle
Lady Carnarvon very accurately described the weather as ‘typically British’ the evening we visited. Guests could be dropped off at the door, but I was nervous about going in on my own, so chose to walk with my husband. It was a great photo opportunity, so it was worth getting a little damp.
After our coats were taken, we walked through the entryway into The Saloon, instantly recognisable from the Downton Abbey television series. We were offered a glass of champagne as we walked through the grand archway of Highclere Castle. The ladies of the Military Wives Choir were singing carols on the iconic Highclere Castle staircase and the hall buzzed with conversation and laughter.
The first thing the caught our eyes was the absolutely magnificent Christmas tree. It was so wide I can’t imagine how it fit through the door. The whole tree was covered in beautiful lights and decorations.
Champagne and Canapés at Highclere Castle
It was such a pleasure to walk around this historic property at our leisure as we sipped champagne. Our glasses were kept filled and we were served delicious canapés all evening long. There were smoked salmon pinwheels, vegetable spring rolls, tiny pieces of slow cooked pork belly, chicken skewers, paté topped blinis, and my favourite, ‘fish and chips’ – a piece of chunky chip (French fry) dipped in tartare sauce and topped with a tiny chunk of fried fish. It was all held together with a cocktail stick. I think this may be my favourite canapé ever!
Sadly, there was a sign saying “No photographs in the castle”. Although there was an official photographer, none of the photos he took were being offered for sale. Later I found out why, when Lady Carnarvon launched her beautiful book Christmas at Highclere. Like one of Lady Carnarvon’s other books, Entertaining at Highclere and Seasons at Highclere, Christmas at Highclere is full of beautiful photographs, stories about life at Highclere throughout the years, and some very delicious recipes. Either book would make a very welcome gift for anyone who loves social history, food, gorgeous coffee table books, or is a fan of Downton Abbey. Some of the photographs in the book were taken on the night my husband and I were at Highclere.
In fact, the lovely Barb of French Ethereal alerted me to the fact that our photograph was on page 144 (bottom left with Lord Carnarvon). Of course, I immediately bought the book!
A Sneaky Photo
However, back on an evening at Highclere Castle, I had to content myself with this very sneaky photograph. I look a little tense as I hate breaking the rules, but I felt I needed at least one photograph of me inside Highclere to be able to write a blog post! In my defence, this particular alcove was quite hidden and we were not the only ones taking a very quick photograph.
History Everywhere You Turn at Highclere Castle
During our evening at Highclere, I discovered history at every turn. The British North America Act, which established Canada as a self-governing federation in 1867, was signed at Highclere Castle. As a Canadian, this gives Highclere a special place in my heart!
Highclere became a hospital during World War 1 with Lady Almina, the Countess of Carnarvon herself, acting as a nurse. Sadly Highclere’s location, and the hills on the property, mean that eight Allied Planes came down there during World War Two. You can read more about The Highclere Plane Search Team on Lady Carnarvon’s blog.
There was also the not to be missed Egyptian Exhibition, which brings to life the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter’s discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun.
And of course, the State Rooms and bedrooms. My favourite rooms are the dining room, overlooked by one of Van Dyke’s portraits of King Charles I and the stunning library, full of antique books and furniture. It has been the location for so many scenes in Downton Abbey. Some of the bedrooms upstairs were also open to look at, along with information about the locations they provide for the fictional story of Downton Abbey.
The bathrooms are rather beautiful too.
An Evening at Highclere – What An Amazing Experience!
As the evening drew to a close, there were more carols in The Saloon. Our glasses were topped up with champagne one last time and we were offered tiny cookies and miniature mince pies. As we drove away we reflected on not just how much we had enjoyed the evening, but how much we had learned!
Our evening at Highclere Castle was an unforgettable experience and I look forward to visiting this iconic castle again soon.
More Information
Special events are held throughout the year at Highclere Castle, but they sell out very quickly. You can subscribe to the castle newsletter to find out about them first, or become a Friend or Patron of Highclere Castle for privileged access on select occasions. Visit the Highclere Castle website for more information.
My husband and I attended this function as paying guests. This is not a sponsored post.
Comments & Reviews
What a fun evening and so glad you were able to get one photo inside, you look beautiful right at home in the gorgeous surroundings!
– Nancy
Thank you so much, Nancy! What a lovely compliment 🙂 It really was a fun evening!
You sound to have had a wonderful evening. It must have been fun to dress up and wander around such a familiar building, seeing it in the flesh rather than on TV. I’d love to visit it myself one day and I think the girls would too. Possibly even Richard!
It really was fun, Hilary! Maybe we could all go together – I’d very happily go again and again 🙂 There is always something different going on. Lady Carnarvon keeps finding new sides to the history of Highclere. I think it must be amazing to have access to all the records she does, although I suppose it would be incredibly daunting too!
Wow!! I’m so jealous! Pinned this, so I don’t forget to put it on my bucket list!
I hope you are able to visit one day, Pam (and please do let me know if you do as it’s very close to where I live!). Thank you for pinning, I really appreciate it!
Wonderful opportunity to take a stroll through the past. Your dress is beautiful! Merriest Holidays, Kippi
Thank you so much, Kippi! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
That sounds like a lot of champagne (!) but I agree the mini fish and chips is/are an inspired idea. And small size mince pies are my favourites!
As for photos – you look lovely and so does the venue. I can’t help thinking they missed an extra fundraising opportunity, not to be taking photos of the guests and offering digital copies. When I was in Malaysia, almost *everything* we did included an opportunity to purchase photos of oneself in action. It became a bit of a joke 🙂
Glad you enjoyed your evening.
Thank you so much, Pauline. And I totally agree, what a fundraising opportunity offering photographs would be. I’m sure they could have charged quite a lot. I know from past experience, people will definitely buy them – especially after a glass or two of champagne! 😉
How fun! I can imagine you both had a wonderful time!! I’m glad you snuck a photo, I mean really it’s a bit of free publicity. 😉 Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful evening with us, April!
Merry Christmas to you,
Barb 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog post, Barb. It really was a fun evening. I hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas!
What a fantabulous experience, April! You look gorgeous =) Love that the event benefitted the RAF.
It really was wonderful, Kim! And thank you so much 🙂
Wow! What an amazing experience. I would love to do this one day!
It really was fun, Ola. I hope you get the opportunity. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on the Highclere website!
What a fun evening that must’ve been! And how cool to have your photo in the book!
It really was, Barbara 🙂 I hope you are having a lovely holiday season so far.
I would LOVE to visit Highclere Castle! I’m a big Downton Abbey fan. And in general I appreciate these magnificent historical homes. You look lovely! Sounds like such a fun evening. Thanks for sharing.
#hearthandsoul
It really was a fun evening, Cindy. Thank you so much for the compliment!
I bought the book today and discovered our picture on page 144 also (top right). We were visiting from Australia and had an amazing night that we will never forget.
What a long way to come! I’m so glad you enjoyed the evening. We really did as well. That is so cool your photograph is in the book as well. We are all on the same page 🙂
What a fabulous evening you had! I imagine you felt quite transported! Your picture in the book is definitely a bonus.
Wonderful to see you in the book as well as in your stunning photo. What a fun event!
Thank you so much, Michele! What a lovely compliment! It really was fun 🙂
Wow – SO fun!! Love that you snuck a photo and got to walk up to the door – the long view is so pretty! Thanks for sharing this fabulous post!
Thank you, Barbara. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. It really was a wonderful evening.
THANK you very much for your interesting thoughts on your evening.Especially
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I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Emma!
Wow! Sounds like you had a fabulous time. I appreciate you sharing such interesting information. I was drawn in.
Visiting today from #6&7
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Paula! It really was a fun and memorable evening!
Your look great in the picture you took inside Highclere Castle! And to make it into that lovely book must have been such a wonderful surprise. Thanks for sharing this post will us!
Thank you so much, Catherine!
Morning April,
You look so lovely in this photo, and all the ones you have on your blog now. Love your new look…….
What a wonderful place to visit. We loved watching Downton Abbey some years back as a TV series. So how fun to be able to visit the castle. Definitely unique and different for sure.
Thanks for sharing your fun exploits with us.
Blessings,
Nellie from the USA
Thank you so much, Nellie! That is really kind of you 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. It really was a fun evening.
Blessings to you!