Highclere Castle 'Downton Abbey' Tour

Highclere Castle

 

ABOUT THE CASTLE

The first written records of the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon.  In 1842, Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament, transformed Highclere House into the present day Highclere Castle.

During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to  children evacuated from London.

 

There are between 250 and 300 rooms in the Castle and during your tour you will explore the main state rooms so familiar from "Downton Abbey". You will see some of the bedrooms after which you will follow the stairs down to the cellars and old staff quarters where you will find the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

 

THE EGYPTIAN EXHIBITION - Included

In  November 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and  Howard Carter stood outside a sealed door in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. Nervously, Carter made a small hole in the door, and reached up to hold a candle. The candle flickered as the air escaped..." The excavators widened the gaps in the plaster and Lady Evelyn, Lord Carnarvon’s daughter, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter climbed in and everywhere "There was the glint of gold..."

The Discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun was the first global media event and has given a a legacy of understanding knowledge and insight into a remarkable civilisation.

 

Deep in history and TV Fame with Downton Abbey, come and enjoy a tour of this famous place..

 

Includes a Tour and coach travel.

 

BOOK FAST AS LIMITED TO ONE COACH per date, also single travels will not be able to have a empty seat beside theirs.

 

£25pp Deposit and final payment must be made by 60 days before travel..

 

 

 

Travel time from last pick up point is Approximate: 1:30hrs (may not have comfort stop)

(Long Day) - Travel time from last departure point is approximate 3:30hrs/4hrs + Comfort Stop

 

(Long Day) - Travel time from last departure point is approximate 3:30hrs/4hrs + Comfort Stop