Welcome Information

Hello and Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to tour and explore Highclere, but would ask  you to pre-book tickets. The events and tours are varied and follow  the cycle of the year.

Your Arrival Story:

• Drive through the Park Gates (perhaps playing the Downton Abbey music).
• Follow the signs to the large field at the front of the Castle, where our car parkers will direct you to ensure there is plenty of room between each vehicle. (Disabled Parking is signposted)

The Gardens

We hope you will find the gardens beautiful and peaceful. The trees offer good shade and line paths which  extend to 100 acres, following the contours which lead down to more sheltered or shady areas.

The Castle

Our numbers are now the same as pre-covid but still spaced.

Once inside, you will be asked to keep any coats and bags with you and to put your phones and cameras away as we do not permit photography inside the Castle. During the tour you will find large photographic boards of behind the scenes of Downton Abbey  along with fun facts to mark out the “social distances”.

Tearooms and Cafes

If you have booked special guided tours and events, delicious food is included in your ticket price.

During public opening days, there will be  a variety of serving points for takeaway food, from scones and cakes, to traditional British sausages in a baguette, paninis, pasties, salads and sandwiches. (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian). We also offer a wide variety of coffees, tea and soft drinks as well as a cocktail bar for memorable Highclere Castle Gin cocktails, wines and champagne. 

We kindly ask that if you bring a picnic with you, to enjoy it by your car and to be responsible to take away all litter with you.  

Gift Shop and Toilets

The gift shop, plant shop and toilets lie  in the courtyard behind the castle 

We do hope you enjoy your time with us. Please click here to go straight to the ticket page.