highclere castle

We enjoyed our visit to Highclere even if there is limited viewing, understandable as this is an occupied home. Though hurried along on a rainy day, we gained insight into filming location for the TV series we enjoy. This estate is worth a visit and near Stonehenge as well. We hope you thrive on!

I'm a big Downton Abbey fan, so I was incredibly excited to visit. But for some reason, I felt the home itself was rather underwhelming. Everything seemed so much smaller in person than on the screen. And I was sad to learn all the "downstairs" scenes are shot in a studio. But we opted to include the Egyptian exhibit and that was very well done, and worth the add-on expense. I have been a big Egyptology fan since I was a small child, and new all about Lord Carnarvon's discovery of King Tut with Howard Carter. We saw the Tut exhibition at the museum in Cairo several years ago, and I was curious to see the recreation of the tomb here at the castle - it's so cleverly done with the various peeking holes to mimic the bits they were able to chip out a little at a time, and what they were able to see through each hole. Great fun! And such an interesting history, as well. The grounds are gorgeous and worth strolling. I found the food in the cafe to be the same as the food anywhere (not better or worse) and not anymore expensive than at any other attraction cafe we visited. Lovely afternoon, all in all.

I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey. I also love the Hallmark Hall of Fame made for TV movie of The Secret Garden from the 80s. When I was planning our trip, I made every effort to get tickets to the castle. I learned that the summer tickets go on sale the first week of February and during the summer, they are only open part of the week. I bought tickets the day the went on sale for a morning timed entry. We took the train from London but after getting off the train, we had to take a cab with was 25 GBP each way "because it was on the weekend"!!! If you can rent a car, do it! The house tour did not disappoint and I loved the "Secret Garden". Plan to spend at least half a day here-- all day if you have time.

A treat to be able to visit such a now well known place due to the television series. Rather expensiveCafe food leaves a lot to be desired. Outside seating area should have wooden or metal furniture not plastic as looks quite tatty.

This house has some lovely features, our American friends loved the cream tea and the gardens, the library was stunning and the Egyptian relics in the cellars really worth a visit. I think it was the second Earl of Canarvan who found the tomb in Egypt having gone there for health reasons. Very interesting and we visited before it became Downton Abbey. They also have classical concerts in the grounds where you can take a picnic and enjoy a firework display at the end to the 1812 overture.

Taken as a birthday treat by daughter my being a fan of "Downton Abbey". Well worth the visit to this beautiful castle, which also puts the filming background into perspective. Great grounds to walk around and not too crowded? Was treated to an afternoon cream tea which although delicious was accompanied by wasps which was uncomfortable. There was obviously a nest nearby the cafeteria.

We booked on line and were unsure what we would find. What we found was a "house" that defies belief for grandeur and status. The staff were friendly view to die for and appointments amazing. The Egyptian museum in the basement was worth the visit on its own making an almost 2 for 1 deal . Highly recommend

We visited Highclere in the afternoon as we are members of Historic Houses Trust and therefore did not need pre-booked tickets. Unfortunately we were shuffled through the castle in a nose to tail line with people with no opportunity to stop and enjoy our surroundings. This spoilt the experience for us but the day was redeemed by the stunning gardens. The castle is as breath-taking as you arrive as seen in "Downton Abbey" and I am glad we visited but disappointed in the way it is organised.

I have been here on several occasions, once was an armed forces veterans day, where i met the cast of Downton Abbey , it is a lovely day out especially in the summer as so much more to see in the garden and the abbey itself is true to form just as you see it on the TV, lots to see and read about, the cafe is lovely too, bit hectic when it is busy but i still found the quality of the food very good, i would say go and visit the entrance price is reasonable. could be slightly lower depending on the time of year or weather as difficult to look around all the grounds in the bad weather. i would still recommend

As a fan of the tv show, I was so excited to visit Highclere Castle. When researching the website for tickets, I was disapointed that they were already sold out for summer and that one would have to show up to see if they could get tickets for the day. We arrived right when they opened and was able to get tickets. We paid for the house/garden ticket. The tour is maybe 30 minutes. They take you through the main rooms downstairs and some of the bedrooms upstairs. Its a memorable visit, especially if you like the show Downton Abby. The gardens a beautiful. Make to sure to wander through. We also stopped to have a bite to eat and had the best jelly doughnut.

The real Downton Abbey! Magnificent!Well worth the drive out from London out to the countryside.Allow ample time to not only leisurely take in the castle, but the expansive grounds and gardens absorbing the grandeur from the varying perspectives..We enjoyed tea on the lawn.The Egyptian exhibit was very interesting.

Had a wonderful day here, we visited for the Christmas Craft fare and it was fantastic. We had access to the grounds, gardens and some of the rooms. The weather was awful so we didn't stay outside very long. Would love to come back in the summer and have a good look around the gardens, such a breath-taking castle.

Absolutely loved our visit to Highclere. It's really special and atmospheric, with authentic interiors and beautiful grounds. If you love Downton Abbey, this is a definite must. Interior seems smaller than the impression on TV, but still a very worthwhile visit. Would go back again.

Just like Don't on Abbey, it was stunning and incredible experience. Had to wait a long time for this experience,

The atmosphere is wonderful, and the castle is breathtaking. Well worth visiting the gardens as well.