Highclere Castle and Gardens

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 now 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 welcome individual enquiries regarding weddings, parties and other celebrations.

Due to unprecedented demand for visits to Highclere Castle due to the success of the series Downton Abbey, entry to the Castle, Gardens and Grounds for any day in December 2011 will be by PRE-BOOKED TICKETS ONLY. For the public opening days on Sunday, 4th and Monday, 5th December entry will be by Morning OR Afternoon Tickets. For entry to the Christmas Fair on Tuesday, 6th and Wednesday, 7th December, entry will be by a single All Day Ticket.

These tickets will only be available from the Corn Exchange, Newbury. Click HERE to book your tickets online or telephone the Corn Exchange on 01635 522733 to book your tickets by telephone.