Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
Highclere Castle
The filming location of the British drama Downton Abbey, a Victorian residence of the Earls of Carnarvon, with an Egyptian collection in its basement tied to the discoverer of Tutankhamun's tomb.
Highclere Castle is the home of the Earls of Carnarvon. Its current building was remodeled in Italianate Renaissance style between 1839 and 1842 by Charles Barry, the architect of the Palace of Westminster. Most of the interior and exterior scenes for Downton Abbey were filmed here, and you can recognize the hall, library, and dining room. The 5th Earl funded the 1922 excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb, and the Egyptian display in the basement tells that story. The castle opens only on limited dates each year, so book tickets in advance on the official website (castle and gardens from about 30 GBP). It lies about 30 km north of Winchester, roughly a 35-minute drive.
Opening hours
Seasonal; approx. 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Westgate Museum
- Winchester Military Museums
- The Great Hall & Round Table
- Buttercross & High Street
- Winchester Cathedral
- Statue of Alfred the Great
- Winchester City Mill
- Wolvesey Castle (Old Bishop's Palace)