The Castle is set in 1,000 acres of sweeping parkland. This was
designed for the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by the famous 18th
century landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.
Today, the parkland and gardens provide acres of peace, tranquillity
and discovery, with breathtaking views across the rolling
downlands of North Hampshire and the Kennet Valley.
Close by, is the Monks' Garden whose name is derived from the
Bishops of Winchester who owned the land for 800 years. It has
a beautiful climbing rose wall above a border with penstemons,
a lavender walk and glass houses with Tea Roses for cutting as
well as peaches and nectarines.
There are espaliered medlar and pear trees amongst yew topiary that leads into a splendid
white border garden.
A gate in the white garden wall leads into the enchanting Secret
Garden with curving herbaceous borders, serpentine paths and
riotous displays of colour in July and August.
Recent archaeological and landscape investigations have shown
that there are 2 hill forts and quite a number of tumuli, ancient
trackways, lynchets and field systems within the estate. They
date from the Iron Age and Bronze Age.
During Medieval times, it was emparked to create a deer park for
the Bishops of Winchester. William of Wykeham then created at
least 2 further deer parks as well as enclosing rabbit and hare
warrens. Records from his tenure (1370), show 5 fish ponds at
Milford, on the northern boundary of the estate.
The earliest record of a garden at Highclere dates from 1218,
which had 61 fruit trees. In 1364, a new garden was created of
44 apple and 27 pear trees, probably within the present walled
garden south east of the House. This is still called The Monks'
Garden today.
The walls and arches survive from the Georgian
period, and the roses, lawns and layout reflects the changed
needs of the family today.