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 .

Exciting news 🧡 we have released tickets for an exclusive early evening tour 🏰 . While Highclere is steeped in rich and ...
16/06/2026

Exciting news 🧡 we have released tickets for an exclusive early evening tour 🏰 .

While Highclere is steeped in rich and varied history, and is now known to millions around the world as the real Downton Abbey, it remains, above all, a much-loved family home 🫶 . Join us for a specially curated guided tour which ensures you enjoy a very intimate experience of this amazing home, which we all very much love🥰 .

To find out more, please follow the link below✨ :
https://highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/exclusive-friends-of-highclere-guided-tours

Please note that this tour is exclusively available to Friends of Highclere, so you will need to be a member to book 🩵

In 1859, following the arrival of the railway some three years earlier and the subsequent increase in numbers resulting ...
15/06/2026

In 1859, following the arrival of the railway some three years earlier and the subsequent increase in numbers resulting from much easier and quicker access from London, Ascot Racecourse built an additional grandstand called the iron stand 🚂🐎.

The idea of racing at Ascot began in 1711 during the reign of Queen Anne hence one of the races today is still named in her honour 👑.

It became increasingly popular so much so that in 1752 the Duke of Bedford noted that, when he arrived in London, “I could find no soul to dine or sup with - they were all at Ascot” 🤭🐴.

Read more in my latest blog: ‘the Iron stand’ 🖋️

https://www.ladycarnarvon.com/blog/the-iron-stand

Emperor Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of ancient Roman Empire, was a great connoisseur of asparagus 💚 he organised ...
14/06/2026

Emperor Caesar Augustus, the first emperor of ancient Roman Empire, was a great connoisseur of asparagus 💚 he organised elite military units to procure it for him! They were known as the ‘Asparagus Fleets’, who brought the best varieties back from Rome 😍

To make your own Asparagus tart, you will need:

For the pastry:
- 150g plain flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting
-75g butter cubed🧈, plus extra for greasing
-58g cheddar or similar hard cheese

For the filling:
-300g asparagus, trimmed and cut lengthways
-5 eggs 🥚
-175ml milk 🥛

If you would like to see the method of how it is made, please watch this video that I posted on Instagram

Building follies was an especially popular pastime in the 18th century.Geordie's ancestor built 12 follies and lodges in...
13/06/2026

Building follies was an especially popular pastime in the 18th century.

Geordie's ancestor built 12 follies and lodges in his park 💚 at Highclere from 1730 to 1750. Such follies were eyecatchers from which to admire nature and the views 🌳 , as well as enchanting the surrounding landscape (they were always a little whimsical 💫)

Very much influenced by the classical temples seen by aristocrats on the Grand Tour, effectively they were physical souvenirs🏛️ .

Etruscan architecture was created between about
900 BC and 27 BC, and they had a taste for architecture and openings marked by the number three - this temple has three openings ... plus they focused on the front facade, rather than the sides or back as here. Again Etruscans were associated with terracotta🧡 which is used around this little temple.

A lovely view on, what is now, a sunny day 🫶🩵 (although it was rather rainy earlier on today ☂️)📸Thank you Paul Mac for ...
12/06/2026

A lovely view on, what is now, a sunny day 🫶🩵 (although it was rather rainy earlier on today ☂️)

📸Thank you Paul Mac for the photo !

The Drawing Room through different eras 🏰🩵A room much used in Downton Abbey and also in real life 🫶🏼 Lady Almina’s fathe...
11/06/2026

The Drawing Room through different eras 🏰🩵
A room much used in Downton Abbey
and also in real life 🫶🏼

Lady Almina’s father, Alfred de Rothschild gave her a wonderful bolt of green silk, which was used to cover the Drawing Room walls and also used for curtains 💚

The chandelier was once designed for candles 🕯️but it was adapted, by Almina or her father, to hold electric lights 💡. Do you remember the scene in Downton Abbey with Maggie Smith? 🤭

Geordie and I were delighted to be patrons of the Royal Versailles ball 💃 with Highclere Castle Gin 💜 - It was a wonderf...
11/06/2026

Geordie and I were delighted to be patrons of the Royal Versailles ball 💃 with Highclere Castle Gin 💜 - It was a wonderful evening to support the amazing charities Room to Read, The Kings Foundation and Fondation France-Britannique de Sillery ✨

Passing through a gallery, Geordie saw this view of a wild flower meadow 🌸 - it is a limited edition lithograph of Highg...
09/06/2026

Passing through a gallery, Geordie saw this view of a wild flower meadow 🌸 - it is a limited edition lithograph of Highgrove House - 'A View from the Wildflower Meadow' - a reproduction of one of His Majesty King Charles' watercolours 🎨.

A talented watercolourist His Majesty wrote in a Preface to an exhibition "I express what I saw through the medium of watercolour ..to convey that almost 'inner' sense of texture which is impossible to achieve via photography 📷. I very quickly discovered how incredibly difficult it is to paint well in such a spontaneous medium, and the feeling of frustration at not being able to achieve on paper the image that your eye has presented you with is intense!" ✨

All the profits benefit The King's Foundation
👑 which champions heritage, craft education, and sustainable communities.

So whilst Geordie loves his new watercolour, it has also contributed to a good cause 🫶🏼

The village fete captured the charm of a much loved English tradition 🫶🏼Every summer, our own Highclere church fete bri...
08/06/2026

The village fete captured the charm of a much loved English tradition 🫶🏼

Every summer, our own Highclere church fete brings together neighbours , friends and visitors 🥰, whilst raising money for the Church ✨. There promises to be bunting, laugher, yummy food and dancing…💃

Do come along on Saturday 13th June, 12-4pm 🌸.

📍 Highclere Church, RG20 9RH

It is £3 entry and free for under 12’s

Address

Highclere Park
Newbury
RG209RN

Telephone

01635 253 210

Website

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