The history of Highclere Castle – the real Downton Abbey – is every bit as exciting as the much-loved television series and the movie. Not only that, but the real life characters who lived here at Highclere Castle were every bit as interesting.
This post was originally published in 2013 and has been recently updated (February 2023).
I was lucky enough to visit Highclere Castle back in 2018, and also to attend an evening reception there in 2019. Highclere Castle is located in the Berkshire countryside near Newbury, about half an hour from where I live. My husband and I are returning this February for the Valentine’s Day Champagne and Canapés Reception.
Highclere is understandably a very popular place to visit, so it’s essential to book in advance. You can find more information about visiting on the Highclere website.
The Real Downton Abbey
From the moment you arrive it’s apparent this is a very special place. There has been an estate here at Highclere since 749 AD. From medieval hall to Elizabethan mansion to Georgian house and finally Victorian castle, Highclere has evolved with the times. It has even served as a hospital for wounded soldiers in World War 1 and an American airbase and home for evacuees in World War 2.
Today Highclere is still a family home – the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and their family live here part of the time, as well as in a house next door to the castle. Highclere can also be hired for private and corporate parties, team building events and weddings.
As for the people who lived here, of course the first one who springs to mind is the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who with Howard Carter was responsible for the discovery of Tutankamun’s tomb. He was also instrumental in establishing the British North America Act, which was signed here at the castle. However the ladies of Highclere were amazing characters as well.
The Countess of Carnarvon has crafted beautifully written biographies of two of her predecessors – the bestselling ‘Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey – The Lost Legacy of Highclere‘ and ‘Lady Catherine, The Earl and the Real Downton Abbey‘, both published by Hodder and Stoughton. If you want the real inside story on Highclere’s history, these books are for you!
Both Lady Almina and Lady Catherine were strong, interesting women who had fascinating lives. Using letters, diaries, visitor’s books and household accounts from the archives at Highclere, The Countess of Carnarvon transports the reader back to the thrilling and alluring world of the real Downton Abbey and its inhabitants.
Lady Carnarvon has also written a behind the scenes behind the scenes cooking and lifestyle book, At Home At Highclere . I highlighted the beautifully written and photographed book in my Top 5 Cookbooks of 2017.
Updated – In 2019, Lady Carnarvon published Christmas at Highclere, sharing traditions and recipes from the real Downton Abbey’s long history, followed by The Seasons at Highclere in 2021. Both books are full of wonderful photographs, recipes and lots of information about life at Highclere, and would make lovely gifts. I am looking forward to reading The Earl and The Pharaoh – From The Real Downton Abbey to the Discovery of Tutankhamen, published in late 2022.
Love stately homes? Read about more of my Favourite Castles and Palaces in England.
Exploring Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle is beautiful inside and out, and unlike some stately homes I have visited, it is light, bright and cheerful as well. The library looks like an incredibly inviting place to curl up with a book – and you would have quite a selection to choose from!
My favourite room had to be the Drawing Room, originally decorated by Lady Almina, its walls lined with silk in a beautiful shade of green.
I also loved the Morning Room, a sitting room for the ladies of the house. It is bright, beautiful and very peaceful.
The tour of Highclere Castle also includes many of the bedrooms, some of were used regularly in the filming of Downton Abbey. Discreet signs point out where this is the case. While many people visit because of Downton Abbey, during the tour it is Highclere Castle that is definitely the star of the show.
Do take the time to visit the Egyptian Exhibition in the basement if you can, as well as the wonderful grounds and gardens.
There are also tea rooms with both indoor and outdoor seating.
A lovingly and beautifully maintained piece of British history, Highclere Castle is well worth a visit. It’s a great day out and an excellent way to really immerse yourself in the history of this part of the world, as well as a bit of the magic that is Downton Abbey.
For more information about Highclere, read Lady Carnarvon’s blog and follow the castle on Facebook and Twitter.
Photographs which are copyright Highclere Castle are used with permission. My thanks to Highclere Castle for their kind permission.
This is not a sponsored post.
Please note any images marked © Highclere Castle Enterprises LLP 2014 have duplication rights for use by April J Harris. Please note the license is granted for this use only and may not be used for any other medium or sold on in any format without prior consent from © Highclere Castle Enterprises LLP 2014 as we retain the Copyright in accordance with the provision of copyright, design & patents Act 1988. Any unauthorized use of the images will be deemed as breach of Copyright and may incur court action and or will be charged at our current rate.
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Grey’s Court – A Charming Tudor Country House
Comments & Reviews
Beautiful! It must have been amazing to be surrounded by all that beautiful wood molding. I could spend time in each of those rooms. One day I need to go to England. My father is from the London area, and my grandfather is from Coventry. My dad’s family moved to America in 1952 to work for Phillips TV. They came over on the Queen Mary. I almost visited when I graduated from high school, but a terrorist attack or bombing (I don’t remember what happened!) changed our plans.
I’ll stop gushing now. 🙂
You would love England, Barb. It really is beautiful. My paternal Grandpa was from London too. Ironically he lived just streets away from my husband’s Grandpa’s family but they never knew each other!
Barb . . . when you go, be sure to get out into the countryside. That is where the real beauty is. My favorite spots are Haworth, home of the Bronte Sisters and, of course, the Lake Distirct. Grasmere to be exact. One cannot take a bad picture in the English countryside. Happy traveling!!
What a thrill to see, and the photos are stunning. Thanks so very much for sharing!
My pleasure, Peggy. Highclere really is an amazing place.
Thank you for this post, April. I’m adding Highclere Castle to my must-see list for my next trip to England =)
Highclere Castle definitely is a must see, that is for sure 🙂
How thrilling! I am totally, completely jealous! What a fabulous place to tour, and that you live so nearby…wow. 🙂 Wasn’t Highclere Castle also used in the filming of Wooster & Jeeves? We’re big fans of both Wooster and Downton over here in the states, too, and unfortunately, we have to wait until I think January to watch the new season. Thanks for sharing, April!
~Lisa
Hi Lisa, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! Highclere Castle was used in the filming of Jeeves and Wooster – it’s such a fabulous location. You would probably really enjoy The Countess of Carnarvon’s books while you are waiting for the new series of Downton 🙂 x
Back around 9 years ago when I started planning my wedding, Highclere Castle was one of my dream venues! lol. It looks like you had a wonderful visit. A good friend of mine recently went there as well and also enjoyed it, she too said she had booked around the beginning of this year! As soon as we get a car I think that is one of the first places I will arrange for us to visit. x
Keep an eye on the website for when they release tickets for next year. It seemed so far away when I booked it, but I’m so glad I did 🙂 x
Wow! Very beautiful castle! I’ll have to make a trip there someday! Would love to see it.
It really is gorgeous, one of the nicest I’ve visited – and I’ve been to quite a few 😉
Just back in Cape Town from a visit to my daughter and family in Basingstoke, and the first place they took me to was Highclere castle, as we have seen the series and loved it. The place took my breath away! So beautiful and such a pleasure to see in real life the rooms and places we saw on TV. My eternal gratitude to the Earl and Countess or allowing people through their magnificent home!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gill, and that you had a lovely visit 🙂
I was there in June with my hubby!! He surprised me with the tour, like days before going to Europe. We were in Paris for four days and then London, for another marvelous 4 days. First thing we did when we arrived in London, was take our luggage to the hotel and ran to take the train to Newbury. Then, we took a cab to the castle. I could not believe I was there, inside the “Crowleys’ house”! We were very lucky because they suddenly open 4 days for tours, since the shooting of the movie was cancelled those days. There were no other tours in the month. Talk about my good fortune!
What a lovely surprise, Lorena. Your husband is really thoughtful! Your whole trip sounds like it was fantastic. And what luck they opened the castle unexpectedly! I’m so glad you got to see Highclere 🙂
I have only been to London but the next time I go to England I would love to visit Highclere Castle! That you for your post at least I could get a glimpse, looks like an amazing place to visit!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Nancy. Highclere isn’t that far from London, and if you do visit please let me know as it’s not that far from me either 🙂
You’ve given me new books to add to my reading list.:) Wow, the history of this place alone makes me want to visit. I didn’t know that an estate had been there since that long ago; that is amazing. Beautiful too. Thank you for sharing on Inspire Me Wednesday. Can’t wait to feature you in next week’s issue.:)
Thank you so much, Mel 🙂
April, what fun! Though the rooms are beautiful, I’m not keen on the exterior of Highclere. I much prefer Georgian architecture. I’m going to check out the website and the books when I get a break. Thank you!
Hi Jean, I agree, the outside of the Georgian buildings were prettier. I like how the windows are placed and how clean everything looks. I still like the outside of Highclere though, and the inside is really gorgeous 🙂
We visited there in the early 80’s. Talk about a flashback, I had forgotten all about that place!
I didn’t realise it was open to the public back in the 1980’s, Scott 🙂 It’s nice to know that it’s been open that long!
I would love to visit this castle!! The scenery in Europe is always so pretty, and to visit a real castle would be amazing.
Real castles definitely are something special, Vera. I always wonder when I walk past a mirror, whose reflections have been there before mine 🙂
Beautiful castle. My son and I love to visit as many castles as we can when in Europe, since we lack them here, haha.
It really is 🙂 I know exactly what you mean – I grew up in Canada and we were pretty lacking in castles there too!
That looks lovely, inside and out. I’d love to tour a castle like that. I did see one while in England back in the late 70s (79ish) and have always wanted to return.
It really is, Val. Hope you get back someday soon!
How very, very cool that there is a real Downton Abbey with real live guests. I have never seen the show but I’d really much rather see the real deal. 🙂
I didn’t watch the show that much either, Rosey, and I really did enjoy the real thing 🙂
I think I’m jealous. Visiting Highclere Castle is on my “if I ever get to England” list. I fell is love with Downton Abbey. 🙂
Oh, bless you, Kathi! I hope you will get to England one day and see it for yourself 🙂
Thank you so much for this armchair tour! I’m envious that you are so close and can readily visit. I especially loved the garden pictures. I wish I could grow an ‘English garden.’ Alas, I believe you have more rain than we do here in Utah. Being a semi-desert makes it hard to grow such lush gardens. Sigh. . . .
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Nina 🙂 I wish my garden was like the one at Highclere too 🙂 I must admit, the rain does make it much easier to grow flowers!
Wow, April this is so amazing! The pictures are amazing, the castle, the surroundings, everything. I guess it`s a real thrill to be able to visit it. And wow, getting married there? Now that would be like a dream for me 🙂
Thanks for the great post, and also for the books you mentiones. I will try and find them!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Cristina! It really would be an amazing place to get married 🙂 I hope you are able to find the books. The women of Highclere were amazing – and in fact, still are!
LOVE that show! Was the Lab there? I think the owners have a yellow lab.
Sadly the Lab wasn’t there, Linda. That would have been fun!
What an amazing opportunity to tour the castle, it is lovely!!
Stay safe in travels.
It really was incredible, Karren, and thank you so much 🙂
I am SO jealous! Loved, loved, loved the show and would love to visit the castle someday. Thanks for sharing, April!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the virtual visit, Emily! I hope you are able to go to Highclere one day. It really is amazing. I’m excited for the movie!
I would love to go sometime!
Please do let me know if you are going to go, Pam, as I’d love to meet you for a cup of tea!
I’ve seen a TV tour but being there in person must be amazing.
It really was cool, Carol! 🙂
Breath taking beautiful. I would love to visit too. Merriest Holiday, Kippi
I hope you are able to visit one day, Kippi! Merriest Holidays to you too!
Your comment under the photo should read, “My husband and me”; not “My husband and I.”
Thank you for reading the post so carefully, Andrea, and for pointing that out. I appreciate how much attention you paid.
I was taught that you use the pronoun “I” when the person speaking is the one carrying out the action on their own or with another person. “Me” is used when the person is either directly or indirectly receiving the action.
If you think of it as the two of us ‘being in the lower corner’, then “I” works – and that is how I thought of it when I wrote the piece. However if you think of us being placed in the lower corner than “me” would be more appropriate. It’s all how you look at it – and I was looking at in the sense of the former.
However, now I can’t stop thinking about it, so I have changed it 😂
I went on a coach trip to Highclere castle last year but unfortunately I still didn’t get to see it as the trip was a two day event and I slipped in the hotel shower on the morning of the visit to the castle and ended up in hospital while the rest of the coach party went on to see the castle, I was very upset at missing my visit to Highclere as I’m a huge fan of the show and had waited 2 years because of COVID I hope I can go there one day in the future.
Oh Christine, how disappointing! I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope that your injuries are now totally healed and that you will be able to visit Highclere properly soon.