Can You Go Inside Highclere Castle?

What You See Inside The Castle

The interior route takes in the main State Rooms: the Saloon, Dining Room, Library and Drawing Room. Fans of Downton Abbey will recognise several of these spaces, along with the grand staircase and Lady Mary's bench, since the castle served as both the exterior and many interiors of the fictional house.

Tickets that include the Egyptian Exhibition add access to the cellars, where displays cover the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and his connection to Tutankhamun. This option costs £32 per adult in 2026, against £25 for Castle and Gardens only.

Outside, the grounds include the Monk's Garden, Secret Garden, White Border, Wild Flower Meadow and Healing Herb Garden, all set within parkland designed by Capability Brown. The castle has belonged to the Earls of Carnarvon since 1679. Most visits last two to three hours.

When Can You Visit And How Do You Book

Openings are limited. Summer public openings in 2026 run from July to September but close on Fridays and Saturdays, with additional dates in spring and around Easter. Themed guided tours, including a Real Lives and Film Sets option, run at other times of year.

Every ticket must be bought online in advance, generally months ahead, because dates sell out quickly and walk-ups are rarely possible. Entry is by timed slot, typically between 10:30am and 4pm. Note that some tickets are non-refundable, and only assistance dogs are admitted.

Children aged 4 to 16 pay £15, or £17.50 with the Egyptian Exhibition, and under-4s enter free. Family tickets are also available.

Getting There From London

Driving from London is straightforward via the M4. By train, travel from London Paddington to Newbury and then take a roughly 15-minute taxi to the castle, which sits near Newbury in Berkshire, postcode RG20 9RN.

Travellers who prefer not to arrange their own tickets and transport can join a coach day tour or a private taxi tour from London. These options bundle castle entry with visits to the Oxfordshire village used in the show, and the taxi tour includes hotel pickup.

Choosing A Tour From London

Three bookable options cover Highclere from London. A coach tour combines the castle with the filming village in a group setting. A small-group version of the same itinerary has drawn strong feedback from past travellers. A private taxi tour adds hotel pickup for a more flexible day.

Tours handle the logistics that trip up independent visitors, especially timed entry and the limited opening calendar. Booking early matters as much for tours as it does for direct castle tickets.