Education & School Visits
Highclere Castle is the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
In 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Over 5,000 objects, works of art and everyday items were found in the tomb, providing an extraordinary insight into the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Educational visits may be arranged outside of normal public opening, subject to availability.
The new Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars at Highclere Castle provides 3 different experiences:
- A collection of Egyptian antiquities from over 4,000 years ago to the Ptolemaic period, including a beautiful coffin and information on hieroglyphs.
- The path to the discovery of the tomb, introducing Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter and looking at their lives, travels and excavations.
- The experience of Carnarvon and Carter discovering the tomb.
Three different options are available for these educational visits
Lord and Lady Carnarvon offer the opportunity to Primary Schools or those studying Egyptology to visit the Exhibition as part of their studies under the National Curriculum.
Example of Visit “A”
The visit takes approximately two and a half hours including lunch. On any one visit, the maximum number of children is 45. On arrival the children are divided into 2, 3 or 4 smaller groups depending upon the numbers. It is in the interest of the children that we keep these smaller groups to around 15, as neither the Exhibition nor the “Hands On" room can accommodate larger numbers. Each group, accompanied by an experienced guide, then visits in turn (for approximately 30 minutes at each venue) the following:
- The Egyptian Antiquities Room - a comprehensive exhibition with exhibits over 3,500 years old.
- The "Hands On" room where children may dress up in replica Egyptian costume and jewellery, handle replica artefacts, draw, do stencils, read, build a pyramid, make a cartouche with their name in hieroglyphs etc.
- Weather permitting, a walk around the exterior of the house and to the Secret Garden. If it is raining we show a 30 minute video about finding of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The charge is £4.50 + VAT per child with 1 adult to every 10 children free.
Example of Visit ‘B’
In addition to the schedule of Option A the children also meet Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter and enter “the path to discovery”. This takes an additional 20 minutes and covers different topics from life in Edwardian Highclere; the Castle in the First World War and life in Egypt, with memorabilia from those times.
The cost for this option is £6.00 + VAT per child with 1 adult to every 10 children free. The maximum number of children for this option is 45 on any one visit.
Example of Visit “C”
This third option includes all the schedule of Options A and B and also takes the children into the discovery area itself, and a recreation of the treasures found by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter. There is a wealth of information in this section and could take an extra 20 to 30 minutes.
The maximum number for Option C is 60 children.
The cost is £7.50 + VAT per child with 1 adult to 10 children free.
For schools wishing to eat a packed lunch during their visit, we are usually able to provide a room. During the summer months there is a picnic area.
Souvenirs can be bought at the end of the tour if requested when booking.
Further Reading and Information
The books Egypt at Highclere and Carnarvon & Carter can be purchased at the Highclere Castle Shop, please ring the Castle Office on 01635 253210
