Highclere Castle — Attraction in Basingstoke and Deane

... if you're a Downton Abbey fan, this has just got to be at the top of your wishlist. Dropped lucky with the weather and had a great day. Highclere is not the biggest of houses. Surprisingly small, when compared to the likes of Chatsworth House, Blenheim and the like. Entry is by timed ticket. Two hour slots for entry beginning at 10.30am, 12.30pm, and 2.30pm. Until your entry slot, you're welcome to wander around the beautiful garden landscape. There is also a marquee in the garden behind the house that serves alcohol, including beer, Highclere G&T's, with tables set out on the lawn so you can enjoy the atmosphere. A queue forms outside the main front door about 15mins before the entry period begins. At the time of booking online, due to demand, I could only book the 2.30pm slot. There are a lot of coach parties that make up the queue, many people from them want a photograph of themselves standing at the door. An obliging staff member does the honours, but this slows down entry to the house quite noticeably, getting on a lot of people's nerves [including ours]. The advantage of the last entry slot is you can go back to the main door at the end of your tour and get that all important shot at the door - with no queue. Also there are less coach-parties at 2.30pm. The tour itself takes about 1 hour. Photography is not permitted in the house. There is no above or below stairs tour. We got to see the main entrance hall, Edith's, Sybil's bedrooms and Lady Grantham's dressing room upstairs. We walked around the mezzanine that looks down into the main Hall and the reception room/library and dining/breakfast room that features prominently in the episodes. The house strikes me as very homely and I imagine it is still used to the full by the family. There is a fully stocked gift shop and a couple of cafe/eateries on site. All charge above the going rate. £65 gets you a Highclere pre-packed picnic box which you can eat on the lawn in front of the house. Didn't look good value. But I suppose you get caught up in the 'Downton Moment'...We took our own, ate back at the car afterwards. Taking your own food in the garden is prohibited. Free parking by the way. Still enjoyed the day and the £43.50 entrance fee was worth it. 👌 Enjoy...

Of all the incredible places we visited during our 16-day journey across Europe in Spring 2025, Highclere Castle was, without question, the most unexpected and rewarding surprise. Initially, I was hesitant—my wife didn’t just recommend we go, she insisted, despite the premium ticket price. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful she did, because Highclere turned out to be one of the most enriching and memorable experiences of our entire trip.

The castle itself is breathtaking—a stunning example of Victorian architecture nestled in the heart of the English countryside. From the moment you arrive, you're struck by its grandeur: the sweeping lawns, the majestic façade, and the regal presence that gives you the feeling you’ve stepped into another era. But it’s not just a pretty building—it’s steeped in history, culture, and character.

The guided tour was masterfully done. It wove together stories of the Carnarvon family, insights into the architecture, and fascinating connections to both British and world history. I was amazed to learn how pivotal the estate and its residents were in historical events, and I appreciated how the guides made each room come alive with context and storytelling.

And then there’s the Egyptian Exhibition. Tucked away in the basement, it absolutely blew me away. Lord Carnarvon’s role in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb is something I had vaguely heard about—but seeing actual artifacts and learning the full backstory brought it all to life in an incredible way. I was completely engrossed; it truly felt like a museum within the castle.

Of course, Downton Abbey fans will feel right at home—walking through the rooms where iconic scenes were filmed is a thrill in itself—but even for someone who only casually enjoyed the show, the true value lies in the deeper experience: the blend of aristocratic history, global discovery, and architectural beauty.

In short, Highclere Castle is far more than a filming location. It’s a living monument to British heritage, a hub of historical intrigue, and an absolutely worthwhile destination. I left feeling inspired, educated, and grateful for the chance to explore such a magnificent and storied place.

Remember advance ticket purchase IS REQUIRED AND...

Great to see the fabulous castle that has been used as Downton Abbey for many years. We booked on a small group tour which took place during May. A large number were eventually waiting outside for the tour to commence, we were split up into roughly groups of 20 and the groups started the tour in different rooms so we were never a large throng anywhere. We were shown around by a very elegant informative guide. It was extremely well organised as was the afternoon tea in the coach house cafe that was included in the tour cost. We chose the tour that started at 1.30 which allowed about 90 minutes inside the castle. Including time to visit the Egyptian exhibition covering Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamon in The Valley of the Kings. Following the afternoon tea and a visit to the gift shop we wandered around the grounds. This was so special as everyone just disappeared between the various places I mentioned so it felt as though there were just a handful of people around. We especially enjoyed the walk past “Mary’s Seat” and the wonderful cedar trees on the way down to see the American airman woodcarving to commemorate those servicemen killed in the wartime plane crashes on the estate. The statue is sited in a very peaceful spot looking out over such a beautiful view, just at the bottom of the wild flower meadow. We arrived completely alone and only saw two other visitors a little later. We walked up beside the flower meadow to join the more formal area in front of one of the follies. There we sat until it was time to walk back around to the vehicle entrance where our taxi met us. We stayed in Newbury which is around a fifteen minute journey by taxi and there seems to be a flat rate of £18 (when written) in each direction. It was a really splendid afternoon which I can highly recommend. It was a lot more to visit in this way as part of a small group but we felt it was well worthwhile. I think the afternoon slot worked well for us our taxi arrived just before 5pm we made the most of our allotted time. A really...