Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle Home of the 8th Earl & Countess of Carnarvon and the film location of Downton Abbey Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679.

Built on an ancient site, the original house was recorded in the Domesday Book. The present day Castle was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, the architect also responsible for building the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The Castle’s history also includes a fascinating connection with ancient Egypt, as the 5th Earl, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of

the Kings in 1922. The Castle houses an exhibition that commemorates this historic event, including some rare antiquities from the 5th Earl's earlier Egyptian excavations. We welcome many visitors each year to view the Castle, the Egyptian Exhibition and the surrounding Grounds and Gardens. This unique setting is also available for private events, corporate events and film locations. We are open on set dates throughout the year. Please see our website for our opening times and prices - https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/public-opening-times-and-prices .

08/09/2026

During her reign of 70 years, the values, image, voice, and words of one woman – the late Queen –resonated both here and beyond these shores.

It is now four years since she died and the time the whole world stopped as all ages and nations paid tribute to this remarkable woman. Her life experiences, her sense of duty, her years of service and her steadfastness helped many of us find comfort in troubled times.

One small voice of calm spoke out, never too often and never without reflection. The language was simple and the words from the heart. She is much missed and listening again to her voice invaluable and reassuring.

A fun game from the Castle for you 🏰💫. Sometimes I find it impossible to make my own mind up ! Whether it is a favourite...
06/09/2026

A fun game from the Castle for you 🏰💫. Sometimes I find it impossible to make my own mind up ! Whether it is a favourite colour, who I would have sat next to at dinner , tea or coffee☕️ , or perhaps which is my favourite part of Downton Abbey? So I thought I would ask you to make some very important decisions…

Please do comment your answers below as I would love to see what everyone has chosen 🤭.

I have always thought that the real Downton Abbey is as much a character as all the wonderful fictional family who live ...
03/09/2026

I have always thought that the real Downton Abbey is as much a character as all the wonderful fictional family who live within it ❤️💫. However beautiful the architectural home is 🏰, the setting, the lawns, the gardens 🌸, the hills, the woodlands and the avenues also play a part in creating a strong sense of place in which we are all so familiar with 🫶🏼

The lime tree avenue was planted in the 18th century and forms such a beautiful walk today but also became a part of the arrival story for Downton Abbey . Of course the twists and turns of this particular road was a pivotal point in the end of the 3rd series 😥, in happier times it was a lovely place for Lord Grantham and his daughters to walk, as it is for me today💫.

My go-to, easy peasy Chicken Provençal recipe 🍅✨When I’m not sure what to cook for supper, this is what I turn to ❤️. It...
02/09/2026

My go-to, easy peasy Chicken Provençal recipe 🍅✨

When I’m not sure what to cook for supper, this is what I turn to ❤️. It is a simple, home-cooked meal which ii think is utterly delicious 😋

All you need is:

🧅1 red onion
💛A glug of rapeseed oil
🧈2 tablespoons butter
🧄2-3 garlic gloves
🫘1 tin of butter beans (I rinse them)
🥫1 tin of chopped tomatoes
💚1 jar of artichokes
🍗6 chicken thighs or chicken breasts (whichever you have in the fridge or freezer)
💜Thyme & rosemary (to season)
💫100ml chicken stock

1 tablespoon sour cream (to serve)
Plenty of salt and pepper.

I have linked a video below which shows the method in which Tess and I made it 🧡

There are so many little details that go on behind the scenes that even the biggest Downton Abbey lovers might not know ...
01/09/2026

There are so many little details that go on behind the scenes that even the biggest Downton Abbey lovers might not know yet! 🤭💕 . Which one surprised you the most?

As our summer public opening draws to a close and the month draws to an end, I thought it would be fun to look back on s...
31/08/2026

As our summer public opening draws to a close and the month draws to an end, I thought it would be fun to look back on some of my favorite moments from August (and these are only a few! 🫶🏼).

As Bridgerton would say, we look forward to what the next season will bring! 💎🩵

The friendship of dogs is at the centre of my life ❤️ (apart from my son and husband of course!). They are very much at ...
26/08/2026

The friendship of dogs is at the centre of my life ❤️ (apart from my son and husband of course!). They are very much at the heart of home here at Highclere (and Downton Abbey ) 🏰.

Dogs make a difference to our lives 🫶🏼. They teach us to love and be loved unconditionally, and we can just be ourselves with no fashionable front or style.

In a world in which we look at backlit screens all day long, dogs bring us back to the moment. They are good for our health and make us exercise- they are a reason to get up in the morning, to have a purpose and go on a walk 🚶‍♀️. They are devoted companions- even if we do not always deserve them. In return, we need to be responsible for them and look after them careafully. It is a shared journey and sharing is caring.

Happy International Dog Day 🐾

📸 thank you Peter Flude for the no.3 photograph 🙏

What sad news 🤍 Like you, Dolly Parton has been a soundtrack for me through so much of my life. She stood there saying e...
26/08/2026

What sad news 🤍 Like you, Dolly Parton has been a soundtrack for me through so much of my life. 

She stood there saying everything  was possible - to write songs, to sing, to be kind, to do things for others and she won our hearts with all that she  did. 

She wrote about the joy and the pain we all go through and she was so funny

She was a national treasure for her fellow countrymen but her music, her ethos and genuine kindness and curiosity a world wide  treasure  as well 

 

What is it about our four legged friends that affects us so deeply?🐾 Perhaps it is the very obvious life lessons they t...
24/08/2026

What is it about our four legged friends that affects us so deeply?🐾 Perhaps it is the very obvious life lessons they teach us, not least to remember that each day is a good day and is best begun with a walk. Scooby doo was born here🏰.

Like any proper Labrador, breakfast has always been a very important way to begin each day and, followed by morning ablutions, sets every day off to a good start✨. Dogs offer us comfort, uncritical love and company during our daytime routines... 💕

Scooby has now crossed the rainbow bridge🌈 to meet his brother Alfie and his mother Bella. I miss him sitting under the autumn puddles, rolling in the fallen leaves, a hundred places I have walked with him and his wonderful wagging tail.

I have written more about our Scooby Doo in my blog- A tribute to Scooby 🐾🤍🪽

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/blog/scooby-do

Beginning in the year 1912, Downton Abbey took off into the elegance of Edwardian times and thus began our love affair i...
23/08/2026

Beginning in the year 1912, Downton Abbey took off into the elegance of Edwardian times and thus began our love affair in Edwardian times with this wonderful series ✨

It gave and still gives us all a glimpse into a world where great country houses like Highclere 🏰 operated with a particular ‘downstairs’ hierarchy. A Lady’s Maid, just like Anna, ranked towards the top✨. The housekeeper was in fact in overall charge of the domestic side of the household 🧹, but Anna as a Lady’s Maid , would become a close confidante to in this case Lady Mary Crawley 💕.

Anna embodied the role beautifully, from caring for Lady Mary’s wardrobe 👗, helping her dress, style her hair 🎀and much more. She was trusted with family secrets… 🤫Who remembers the scene with Mr Pamuk ? 👀

Joanne Froggatt brought the character of Anna Bates to life 🫶, she became a character who we all loved and cared for. Did you know that today is the real life Anna’s birthday? 🎂 We are wishing Joanne a very happy birthday 🎈 and thank her for her part and giving us such enjoyment of watching Downton Abbey! 📺

#1900

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Highclere Park
Newbury
RG209RN

Telephone

01635 253 210

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