Highclere Castle
Highclere, Basingstoke and Deane
Photo: Richard Munckton from Windsor, Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0Photo: Richard Munckton from Windsor, Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0
The castle used as a filming location for Downton Abbey. Visitors can see the state rooms, the Egyptian exhibition and the gardens on set public opening dates, with guided tours at other times of the year.
Highlights
- State rooms and the Egyptian exhibition
- Gardens, including the Monk's Garden and the Secret Garden
- Downton Abbey filming locations on guided tours
- Castle tearooms and gift shop
Good to know
- Dogs are not allowed in the castle grounds, except guide dogs. Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths on leads
- Pre-booking is strongly recommended
- Drones and smart glasses are not permitted on the estate
Getting there
Highclere Castle, Highclere Park, Newbury, Hampshire, RG20 9RNParking: Car park at the castle. Picnics are allowed in the parking area only.
Get directionsChecked on 19 October 2026 against highclerecastle.co.uk, highclerecastle.co.uk, highclerecastleshop.co.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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What's on at Highclere Castle
Christmas Tours and Carols at Highclere Castle
Self-guided visits to the state rooms and gallery bedrooms of Highclere Castle, the house used as Downton Abbey, with its Christmas decorations, carols and a courtyard gift market. This year's decorations have a Scandinavian theme.
Nearby
Photo: Chris Gunns, CC BY-SA 2.0Whitchurch Silk Mill
A historic silk mill run by Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust, where visitors can see traditional silk-weaving skills in action. There is a riverside cafe and a mill shop, and events and workshops run through the year.
Finkley Down Farm
A farm park on the edge of Andover with animals to feed and handle, an indoor play barn and outdoor play areas. It is open all year round.
Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age
A free museum on Church Close telling the story of Andover and the surrounding area. The Museum of the Iron Age, in the same building, covers the nearby Danebury hill fort.