Downton Abbey and the Cotswolds
Oxford
Take a trip back in time to the set of Downton Abbey on our full-day tour to Highclere Castle and the Cotswolds. Our tour departs from Oxfo...
£100 | Rating 5 / 5 [11 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Bucket list experience:
Highclere Castle
Credit Shutterstock.com/Ion Mes
Last updated: 09 November, 2022
Perhaps best known as the setting for the hugely popular drama series Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle sits amidst 1,000 acres of greenery and is a paragon of aristocratic heritage. This marvel of Victorian architecture boasts majestic staterooms complete with baroque ceilings, Italian embroideries and an exhibition of Egyptian antiquities.
The castle’s imposing beauty is best viewed from the glorious parkland that surrounds it, dotted with fruit-laden trees, exotic topiary and six 18th century follies.
Don’t miss
In 1922, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon famously discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun and uncovered one of the most extraordinary ancient Egyptian collections.
The current owner of Highclere, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, has created an exhibition at Highclere displaying the remaining fascinating antiquities that escaped sale to museums worldwide.
Price from: £24
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 3 hours
Getting there & doing it
Highclere Castle lies in Hampshire, about 67 miles west of London. Trains from London Paddington to Newbury takes less than an hour, followed by a 15-minute taxi ride to the castle.
Booking in advance is recommended, although there are some ‘walk-in’ tickets available each day after 2pm. Tickets are divided into morning and afternoon sessions, granting entry according to the assigned 2.5-hour time frame.
You are free to wander unguided within this time slot, and informative stewards are on hand to answer questions. Admission tickets for the gardens have no time limit. There’s a café on-site, or take a picnic – there are picnic areas with views of the castle.
When to do it
Only open on specific days from July to September (with occasional other events throughout the year), generally Sundays to Thursdays but check the website for available dates.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Downton Abbey and Village Tour from London by Coach
London
Enjoy a day trip into the world of Downton Abbey on a 9-hour coach tour from London. The tour features behind the scenes information, scenes...
£125 | Rating 4.7 / 5 [60 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Small Group Tour: Downton Abbey and Village Tour of Locations from London
London
Take a journey back to the early nineteenth century on this fully guided small group tour from London that includes a tour of Downton Villag...
£150 | Rating 4.68 / 5 [148 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Downton Abbey and Oxford Tour from London Including Highclere Castle
London
See top filming locations from the award-winning ‘Downton Abbey’ television series on a full-day tour from London! After touring Oxford, enj...
£155 | Rating 4.56 / 5 [474 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by: