{"id":31767,"date":"2023-10-20T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/7574a3c7-8626-4900-af5a-e37a207ebd1f"},"modified":"2023-10-20T12:39:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T10:39:31","slug":"downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Downton Abbey guide: history of Highclere Castle and how to visit"},"content":{"rendered":"

The stars of Downton Abbey are set to return to the big screen as a new Downton Abbey film is set to be released in the UK cinemas this week. Here’s our ultimate Downton Abbey guide, including how to visit Downton, the history of Highclere castle, plus watch a trailer of the new film. <\/p>

By countryfile\n <\/p>

Published: Friday, 20 October 2023 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Here\u2019s our guide to the historical drama Downton Abbey, Where it’s filmed, how to visit Downton Abbey, the history of Highclere castle.<\/p>

Where is the real Downton Abbey?<\/h3>
Downton Abbey is filmed at Highclere Castle<\/a> in Highclere Park, Newbury, Berkshire<\/a><\/p>
Inside the castle are the state rooms; the Saloon, drawing room, smoking room and library – home of some of Downton’s most famous scenes. And you can also see the famous bedrooms where some of the drama’s most dramatic scenes unfolded…<\/p>
Downton Abbey: our guide to the soundtrack and composer of the hit TV show and film<\/a><\/li>
Michelle Dockery shares her favourite music<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
<\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-the-history-of-highclere-castle\">The history of Highclere Castle<\/h3><p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highclerecastle.co.uk\/history-highclere-castle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Highclere Castle\u2019s website<\/a>, the first written records of the estate can be dated back to 749. This was when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester, and a Medieval palace was built on the park.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Highclere castle was a filming location for the British award-winning period drama Downton Abbey. The castle and gardens are open to the public during July and August and at times during the rest of the year. (Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>In 1679, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House after being bought by the Attorney General to Charles II and James II, Sir Robert Sawyer. In 1771, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.capabilitybrown.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Capability Brown<\/a> \u2013 a notable English landscape architect \u2013 then made plans to alter the ground for the 1<sup>st<\/sup> Earl of Carnarvon.<\/p><p>Since then, the castle has been in ownership of each<a href=\"https:\/\/inews.co.uk\/news\/uk\/profile-george-herbert-the-eighth-earl-of-carnarvon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Earl of Carnarvon<\/a> \u2013 the 5<sup>th<\/sup> of which was responsible for the discovery of Tutankhamun\u2019s tomb with his colleague Howard Carter.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"1868\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2015\/01\/Archaeologist-Howard-Carter-opening-the-coffin-of-Tutankhamen-in-1922--33f1197.jpg\" alt=\"Archaeologist Howard Carter opening the coffin of Tutankhamun, 1922\" class=\"wp-image-45486\" title=\"Archaeologist Howard Carter opening the coffin of Tutankhamun, 1922\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Archaeologist Howard Carter opening the coffin of Tutankhamun, 1922 (Photo by: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>While Highclere Castle has remained primarily as a home throughout the years, it has also served alternative functions. In the years of the First World War, Highclere was a hospital for wounded soldiers, and in the archives of the castle, there still exists a number of letters of thanks written to Lady Almina, 5<sup>th<\/sup> Countess, from her patients.<\/p><p>Later in the Second World War, the castle became home to many evacuees, whose names, according to the website, you can see etched into the roof lead.<\/p><h3 id=\"h-who-owns-highclere-castle\">Who owns Highclere Castle?<\/h3><p>Today, Highclere Castle is owned by the 8<sup>th<\/sup> Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-landscape_thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2045\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2015\/01\/Downton-Abbey-Countess-Carnarvon-outside-Highclere-Castle-e73fbe0.jpg\" alt=\"Countess Carnarvon outside Highclere Castle, the home of Downton Abbey\" class=\"wp-image-45484\" title=\"Countess Carnarvon outside Highclere Castle, the home of Downton Abbey\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Countess Carnarvon outside Highclere Castle, the home of Downton Abbey (Photo by: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>Lady Carnarvon writes a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ladycarnarvon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog about the castle<\/a>, including a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ladycarnarvon.com\/category\/downton-abbey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">behind the scenes account<\/a> of life while Downton filming takes place, and has also written a book called called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Lady-Catherine-Real-Downton-Abbey\/dp\/1444762125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Lady Catherine and The Real Downton Abbey<\/em><\/a>.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe title=\"Take a tour around the real Downton Abbey\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iE_ZjwvpWN0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 id=\"h-what-to-do-on-your-visit-to-downton\">What to do on your visit to Downton<\/h3><p>Die-hard fans might want to plump for the 2-day, ready-made <a href=\"https:\/\/britmovietours.com\/bookings\/downton-abbey-tour-experience\/\">tour of the main Downton Abbey locations<\/a> which lets you try out life as an Edwardian aristocrat, and provides tasty smatterings of insider gossip.<\/p><p>For those after a quieter, more personal exploration of the Downton landscape, you can still head to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highclerecastle.co.uk\/downton-abbey.html\">Highclere Castle<\/a>. The Victorian Castle sits on 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland which has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679. Wander among the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/wildlife\/trees-plants\/guide-to-britains-hay-meadows\">wildflower meadow<\/a>, explore the secret and walled gardens and get lost in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highclerecastle.co.uk\/castle-gardens-woodlands\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2018Wood of Goodwill\u2019.<\/a><\/p><p>Rather out of keeping with the post-Edwardian England we have come to associate with Downton, Highclere also houses a rather magnificent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highclerecastle.co.uk\/egyptian-exhibition.html\">exhibition of Ancient Egyptian artifacts<\/a>. One hundred years ago, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon famously discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun, an Egyptian Boy Pharaoh, and the cellars of the Castle now celebrate the Egyptologist\u2019s achievements.<\/p><div aria-label=\"Carousel Gallery\" class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-carousel alignwide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery-carousel-swiper-container is-cropped coblocks-gallery has-caption-style-dark has-horizontal-gutter has-lightbox has-no-thumbnails\"><div class=\"has-carousel has-carousel-xlrg swiper-container has-aligned-cells has-responsive-height\" data-swiper=\"{"alignCells":true,"autoPlay":false,"autoPlaySpeed":3000,"draggable":false,"freeMode":false,"loop":false,"navigation":true,"pageDots":false,"pauseHover":true,"responsiveHeight":true,"slidesPerView":1,"thumbnails":false,"uuid":"12345"}\" style=\"height:400px\"><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" alt=\"The Saloon in Highclere Castle, Downton Abbey\" class=\"wp-image-45488\" data-id=\"45488\" data-link=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/countryfile\/?attachment_id=45488\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2015\/01\/Downton-Abbey-A-view-of-the-saloon-in-Highclere-Castle--aba90c0.jpg\"\/><figcaption>The Saloon in Highclere Castle (Photo by: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"1\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2000\" alt=\"The music room inside Highclere Castle, Downton Abbey\" class=\"wp-image-45487\" data-id=\"45487\" data-link=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/countryfile\/?attachment_id=45487\" src=\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2015\/01\/Downton-Abbey-A-view-of-the-music-room-in-Highclere-Castle-900f764.jpg\"\/><figcaption>The music room inside Highclere Castle (Photo by: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><button class=\"nav-buttonprev\" id=\"12345-prev\"><svg class=\"icon\" style=\"transform:rotate(180deg)\"\/><\/button><button class=\"nav-buttonnext\" id=\"12345-next\"><svg class=\"icon\"\/><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div><p>If you\u2019re visiting out of opening hours, or simply want to keep out of the way of the masses, there are also numerous beautiful walks in the surrounding area. You might like to take in the nearby <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thecarnarvonarmshotel.com\/\">Carnarvon Arms<\/a>, a grade-II listed former coach house with overnight rooms and a good restaurant. Though filming has finished – for the moment – you can comfort yourself that you may be sitting in the same seats as cast members Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens or Maggie Smith.<\/p><p>Remember, Since the drama launched the estate has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, so book in advance if you want to get enveloped in the Crawley family\u2019s spectacular rooms, or walk in the estate gardens.<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/days-out\/britains-best-film-locations-you-can-visit\">The best film and TV locations to visit in the UK<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/go-outdoors\/travel-planner\/best-romantic-uk-film-locations-to-stay-in\">Best romantic UK film locations to stay in<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/reviews\/best-royal-films-set-in-the-british-countryside\">Best royal films set in the British countryside<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p\/> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The stars of Downton Abbey are set to return to the big screen as a new Downton Abbey film is set to be released in the UK cinemas this week. Here’s our ultimate Downton Abbey guide, including how to visit Downton, the history of Highclere castle, plus watch a trailer of the new film. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":31768,"template":"","categories":[1,115],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-scaled.jpg",2560,1708,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-1536x1025.jpg",1536,1025,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/10\/downton-abbey-guide-history-of-highclere-castle-and-how-to-visit-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"The stars of Downton Abbey are set to return to the big screen as a new Downton Abbey film is set to be released in the UK cinemas this week. Here's our ultimate Downton Abbey guide, including how to visit Downton, the history of Highclere castle, plus watch a trailer of the new film.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/31767"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}