Highclere Castle
Aristocratic mansion famous for its Egyptian connections and the fictional seat of Lord Grantham: Downton Abbey.
near Newbury, Hampshire, RG20 9RN
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Free parking
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Shop
Highclere Castle is a historic building but disabled access is possible for most areas. There is no lift, however, we provide photographic albums to enable visitors to look at some of the bedrooms on the first floor.
Wheelchairs are welcome around the Castle and in the Egyptian Exhibition (access to this is via the Courtyard at the back of the Castle). It is not possible to bring motorised wheelchairs into the Castle but they are welcome on the paths around the lawns.
Highclere Castle is a magnificent family home, often described as ‘the finest occupied Victorian mansion in England’. Owned by the Carnarvon Family for over 300 years, we hope visitors will discover its treasures throughout the tours of the State rooms as well as exploring the Egyptian Exhibition.
The Castle you see today was designed by Sir Charles Barry. He began in 1842 whilst re-building the Houses of Parliament. Many similarities exist between the styles of the two buildings.
Visitors will recognise many of the rooms, from the dark mahogany, gilded, Library with over 5,650 books, to the Dining Room dominated by Van Dyck’s portrait of Charles I.
The Castle cellars celebrate the achievements of the 5th Earl who, with his colleague Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.
Highclere’s gardens have existed since medieval times and Lord and Lady Carnarvon take much pleasure developing the gardens you see today.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Spring:
30th March – 3rd April
6th April – 13th April
4th May – 7th May
26th May – 29th May
Summer:
7th July – 5th September
Sunday – Thursday (closed Friday & Saturday)
Visitors are advised to book their visit in advance on the castle’s website.
Historic Houses members, please go to Admission on this page to find out more about the requirements for entering Highclere Castle.
Visiting Highclere Castle as a Historic Houses member
Highclere Castle welcomes Historic Houses members free of charge on public opening dates, where capacity allows. If you are a Historic Houses member, you do not need to use the pre-booking facility on the Highclere website. Instead, to redeem the Castle’s offer you should email their staff team on theoffice@highclerecastle.co.uk to request a reservation for a timed entry. Although they cannot guarantee you entry, they will do their best to accommodate all requests, and will reply to let you know if and when they can find capacity – even if their regular public tickets are sold out. You will be offered entry at a time when the castle is least crowded; if you have a strong preference for entry at a particular time of your choosing, you should book and pay for a regular public ticket using the Castle’s online booking facility. You must bring your Historic Houses membership card with you when you arrive, as you can not be admitted for free without it (even if you have email confirmation of your timed entry reservation).
Please bear in mind that free entry for Historic Houses members is for the house and garden only; the separate Egyptian Exhibition is not included. You can buy an additional ticket for that, for just £7, from Visitor Reception at the Castle Main Gate.
Regular summer prices for the house, exhibition, and garden:
Based on access. See the castle website.
Entry to the Castle is self-guided, with our guides stationed throughout to answer any questions.
Three tearooms and a gift shop, onsite, remain open to visitors throughout the day.
Group booking slots have already been filled for 2023. For more information, the groups page of our website can be found here.
Highclere Castle is a historic building but disabled access is possible for most areas. There is no lift, however, we provide photographic albums to enable visitors to look at some of the bedrooms on the first floor.
Wheelchairs are welcome around the Castle and in the Egyptian Exhibition (access to this is via the Courtyard at the back of the Castle). It is not possible to bring motorised wheelchairs into the Castle but they are welcome on the paths around the lawns.
Getting here
near Newbury, Hampshire, RG20 9RN
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. Follow the brown tourist signs from the A34.
TRAIN
There is a good service from London Paddington to Newbury. Taxis can be found outside the station at Newbury.
PARKING
Car park on site Car park only available when house and garden is open
TAXI
Broadway Cars 01635 847784
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.
