My Downton Abbey Tour Experience: A Visit to Highclere Castle

My Downton Abbey tour at Highclere Castle was an experience I’ll never forget. As a devoted fan of the series, standing before the castle’s grand exterior and wandering through its beautiful gardens felt like stepping into another world.

While photography isn’t allowed inside, I’ll share my impressions of the stunning interiors along with plenty of photos of the castle’s exterior and grounds. Come along with me as I relive this unforgettable visit to the real-life home of Downton Abbey.

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Planning Our Downton Abbey Tour Adventure

When my husband and I planned our trip to England, a Downton Abbey tour was at the very top of my list. I am a die-hard fan of the Downton Abbey TV series and couldn’t pass up the chance to visit the “real Downton Abbey”, Highclere Castle. 

My husband, who has never seen a single episode, was still all in on the adventure, which made the day trip even more special!

From the moment we pulled into the small gravel car park, the magic began. The view of Highclere rising in the distance was unforgettable. 

Goosebumps! Pinch me!

We walked the same path as Lord Grantham and his loyal dog, Isis, in the opening of every episode. It was one of those pinch-me moments. Suddenly, the stately home that had lived in my imagination (and on my television) was right there in front of me.

Before we even entered, I wandered to the bench beneath the sprawling tree where Lady Mary, Lady Edith, and Lady Grantham had so many heartfelt conversations in the series.

 Sitting there, I could almost hear Julian Fellowes’ witty dialogue floating on the breeze!

Architectural Highlights Before the Tour

The closer we got, the more details of the historic building revealed themselves.

The massive building is crowned with soaring spires. Upon close inspiraction, there are carved rosettes everywhere on the exterior walls.

I was reminded me that this isn’t just a film set. It’s a centuries-old stately home with a long lineage of the Earls and Countesses of Carnarvon.

See the wyvern by the front door?

There wyvern is the heraldic symbol for the Carnarvan family and can be seen throughout the house.

The front door itself is a masterpiece, massive and wooden with iron wolves mounted on each of the double doors.

What a treat: from a distance (a very far distance!), we spotted the current Lady Carnarvon walking her dogs across the lawn!

A Warm Welcome

Before our guided tour began, the estate manager gathered us in the front hall for a cheerful welcome.

He gave us the best piece of advice: “If you are not familiar with Downton Abbey, you will walk in and think how huge it is. If you are a fan, you will walk in and think how small it is.” 

He was absolutely right. As we walked in, the rooms felt much smaller than what I saw in the series.

Don’t get me wrong…these room are large! Just not as large as the magic of film would lead us to believe.

One quick note—photographs are not allowed inside Highclere Castle, so my descriptions will have to do the heavy lifting!

The Great Hall

The Great Hall was our first stop, and it immediately felt familiar from so many memorable scenes.

The intricate marble fireplace commands attention, but your eyes are quickly drawn upward to the soaring two-story ceiling, the gothic balcony, and the carved wyverns tucked into the woodwork.

The walls are lined with fabric tapestries that add both warmth and grandeur.

I couldn’t help but think of the Christmas specials filmed here, with the towering tree sparkling under the high windows.

The Dining Room

Next came the dining room, a space dripping with drama both on-screen and off.

The walls are covered in glowing yellow silk, and at the head of the room hangs a massive portrait of King Charles I. Ancestral portraits line the other walls, including Sir Robert Sawyer, who bought Highclere in 1679.

The long dining table can seat 24, and the carved wood sideboard is a work of art itself.

If you’re a fan, you’ll recall how the characters would sit down to a lavish breakfast spread…only to nibble on toast and jam!

I half-expected the Dowager Countess, with all her sharp one-liners, to sweep into the room!

Because of photography restrictions, this is not the Highclere Castle castle. But, it can give you an idea of the rich sumptuousness of the room.

The Library

Then, my favorite part of the Highclere Castle tour…the library!

If the public rooms have a heart, this is it. Imagine floor-to-ceiling bookshelves holding over 5,600 leather-bound volumes in rich burgundies and browns!

Those iconic red sofas were exactly as I pictured them, ready for Lady Grantham to sink into with a cup of tea. The architectural highlights here include massive windows that frame breathtaking views of the extensive grounds.

This room alone was worth the visit!

Upstairs Bedrooms

On the second floor, we visited several of the family bedrooms that doubled as sets in the Downton Abbey series.

Lady Mary’s elegant room felt refined and stately, while Mr. Pamuk’s bedroom was dripping in red velvet (and, of course, sensual drama!).

Cora’s bedroom was softer, styled in soothing colors…the perfect backdrop for all those breakfast-in-bed scenes.

Standing in these rooms, I felt I was walking into the television series and reliving many of my favorite episodes!

On the balcony bridge between the two wings, our expert guide reminded us that more bedrooms exist for visiting family and friends. After all, this is still someone’s home, not just a set from a popular series. Small touches like lovely family photos scattered throughout made that abundantly clear.

The Egyptian Exhibition

Filming locations for Downton Abbey did vary and Mrs. Patmore’s basement kitchen was one of those settings that is not located at Highclere Castle. However, the castle’s basement holds something equally fascinating…the replica of an Egyptian exhibition!

George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, famously financed Howard Carter’s excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

From the elaborately decorated sarcophagus to the mummy itslef, the exhibit replicates the treasures found there.

It’s thrilling, and a bit chilling, when you hear about the so-called “curse” of Tutankhamun. You see, the Earl died just 5 weeks after the tomb was opened because of a mosquito bite that led to blood poisoning. And legend has it that on the very same day Lord Carnarvon died, his dog back at Highclere died as well!

Afternoon Tea on the Lawn

After the guided tour, we stepped into the courtyard and then onto the back lawn, where we were treated to afternoon tea.

What an experience!

We indulged in Quiche Lorraine, egg and cress sandwiches, creme brûlée, tomato soup, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of sweet cakes.

For two Americans on their first true English tea outing, it was heaven!

Gift Shop Treasures

Of course, I couldn’t leave without stopping in the gift shop during our bit of free time.

Yes, I went full tourist!

A set of “Her Ladyship” and “His Lordship” coasters, a tee-shirt with the Dowager Countess’s iconic line “What is a weekend?”, and a charming ceramic tray all made it into my bag.

My prized purchase, though, was a copy of Lady Carnarvon’s book, Seasons at Highclere, signed by her! (If you love history and lifestyle writing, I can’t recommend Lady Carnarvon’s books enough.)

Strolling the Grounds and Gardens

As we departed, we spotted the whimsical folly tucked into the rolling hills, a romantic stone structure that looks like it was plucked straight from a novel.

Wandering through the areas of the castle grounds, I thought about how lucky we were to spend a day walking through both history and television magic.

Of course, no visit to Highclere would be complete without a stroll through the gardens.

The gardens were everything I dreamed an English garden would be: stone-arched walls framing green pathways, carefully trimmed hedges forming perfect arches, and bursts of color from wildflowers spilling across borders.

Delphiniums, lavender, and roses seemed to tumble over one another in a kind of orchestrated chaos that still felt quintessentially refined.

A Day to Remember

Our private tour group was small enough that it felt intimate, almost as though we were guests of the family rather than visitors.

The expert guides were knowledgeable and patient with all our “Where did this scene happen?” questions.

Whether you’re a Downton superfan or just a lover of historic buildings, a visit here makes for the most enchanting day trip.

Walking away, I glanced back one more time at the real Downton Abbey…its towers reaching toward the sky, its walls steeped in centuries of stories.

It was everything I had hoped for and more!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!

– cheers –

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​Want to Visit Highclere Castle?

There are several ways to enjoy a Highclere Castle tour, depending on your interests and schedule. Many visitors opt for a classic day trip from London or Oxford, while others book a more in-depth private tour that offers access to additional areas of the castle beyond the main public rooms. Seasonal events are sometimes hosted by the Countess of Carnarvon herself or are themed special events tied to the Downton Abbey TV series, making the castle feel like the true real Downton Abbey. 

Tour admission tickets are available on the official Highclere Castle website and tend to sell out quickly, so it’s wise to book well in advance. 

You can even join a Downton Abbey coach tour ((leaves from central London), which pairs a visit to Highclere Castle with stops in the beautiful village of Bampton which serves as Downton village, giving fans the chance to see both the grand interiors and the charming village streets featured in the beloved series.

Whether you’re following in the footsteps of the Crawley family, or simply appreciating the grandeur of a historic building, each option provides a memorable glimpse into one of England’s most beloved stately private homes.

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