Highclere Castle is one of England’s most famous country houses, set within thousands of acres of landscaped parkland designed by renowned landscape architect Capability Brown. The castle dates back to the 19th century in its current form, although the estate itself has much older origins and has long been associated with the Carnarvon family. Internationally, Highclere Castle is best known as the primary filming location for the hit period drama Downton Abbey, where it portrays the fictional Crawley family home. Both the exterior shots and many of the grand interior rooms used in the series and films were filmed on location, making it instantly recognisable to fans around the world. Visitors today can explore select rooms within the castle, including its richly decorated state rooms, as well as stroll through its extensive gardens and parkland. Beyond its film fame, Highclere remains a working estate with deep historical significance and a strong connection to Egyptology through the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who was involved in the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Downton Abbey