Hampshire, United Kingdom
Explore the real Downton Abbey. Walk through historic state rooms, tour the 5,000-acre estate, and discover the cellar Egyptian Exhibition.
4.7 from 959 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Compare coach trips and private transfers from London.
Most bookedExplore the iconic filming locations of the award-winning Downton Abbey television series on this full-day tour from London. Following the release of Downton Abbey 3:...
Small groupTake a journey back to the early twentieth century on this fully guided small group tour from London that includes a tour of Downton Village and entry to Highclere...
Top ratedLondon is so amazing but hectic, so why not have a relaxing day in the English Countryside instead, visiting The Cotswolds & beyond, on a Downton Abbey themed tour. We...
From$1,355per person
Best for: the ultimate luxury downton experience
Explore
Explore the historic rooms, gardens, and exhibits.
4 spotsCastle State RoomsExplore the main floor rooms famously featured in Downton Abbey.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsEgyptian ExhibitionCellar exhibition on the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
4 spotsGardens and ParklandExplore 5,000 acres of historic landscapes designed by Capability Brown.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
The Carnarvon family has lived on the site since 1679.
Sir Charles Barry transformed the castle in the 1840s.
Plan your visit
Allow 3 to 4 hours to see the castle, exhibition, and gardens. London day tours take 9 to 11 hours total.
General admission is limited to 60-70 days per year. It mainly opens during Easter, July, and August.
Drive 1.5 to 2 hours from London. Alternatively, take the train to Newbury and pre-book a taxi.
Standard adult admission costs about £32. Guided coach tours from London start around £211.
Highclere Castle is a Grade I listed country house in Hampshire. It serves as the country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon. Sir Charles Barry redesigned the building in the Jacobethan style between 1839 and 1842.
The castle achieved global fame as the main filming location for the historical drama Downton Abbey. Today, visitors can explore the Castle State Rooms where many famous scenes were filmed. The estate also features a vast parkland designed by Capability Brown.
The cellars hold a unique history. The 5th Earl of Carnarvon co-discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb with Howard Carter in 1922. You can learn about this inside Egyptian Exhibition.
We clearly note which tours guarantee castle entry and which provide transport only.
We separate large coach tours from small group mini-coach options.
We compare standard buses against private black taxis and luxury transfers.
From Viator
959 reviews of the highclere and oxford tour on Viator
Robert and Zso Zso were wonderfully entertaining, they made the day trip fun. Zso Zso was also very knowledgeable about the history of both the castle and Oxford. I would recommend this tour to people wanting to have a nice day traveling outside of London.
Lines to get inside. Many buses and lots of cars in parking lot. Saw all first floor and several upstairs bedrooms. All in very good condition. Big gift shop
Excellent guide in van that transported us from London and showed us around the village and filming locations. Free time to tour the castle and enjoy the grounds.
Great day visiting the castle and the city of Bampton. Our guide Rory was AMAZING and our driver, Andy was great too! Brit Movie Tours made expectations easy to follow. The whole day was wonderful!
We had a wonderful time at Highclere castle and Bampton village. Our guide Eva was fantastic and told us very nice things about Downton. The tea offered outside the castle was delicious and we were so pleased to receive an autographed book. The castle and garagens are very beautiful. I valued this trip very much and it was really worth of it.
Great day! My wife and I are Downton Abbey 'geeks' so this was really special for us. Our guide was funny and informative. We had plenty of time at Highclere to explore the grounds after visiting the house. A bucket item checked off for us!
Wonderful experience. The driver made sure that we were safe and comfortable throughout our journey.
Viator provided the transportation only for this tour. The driver was on time and the outing went well.
Everything about this tour was perfect. Our tour guide and driver, John, was kind, funny and knowledgeable. The black car was spotless. The places included were wonderful. It was a magical day. I would highly recommend this tour to any avid or casual Downton Abbey fan.
Travel tips
Ticket Booking GuideHow to book Highclere Castle tickets, package tiers, and prices.Read 
Travel from LondonCompare driving and taking the train to Highclere Castle from London.Read 
Opening SeasonsFind out exactly when Highclere Castle is open and when to plan your trip.Read Wheelchair Access GuideRules for mobility aids, wheelchairs, and navigating the estate.Read 
Rules & Banned ItemsKnow the rules on bags, photos, and picnics before you arrive.Read 
Downton Abbey SpotsFind the exact Downton Abbey filming locations at Highclere Castle.Read Yes. Highclere Castle is the real-life filming location for Downton Abbey. You can walk through the exact state rooms and grounds featured in the television series and movies. See Downton Abbey Spots for details.
The Carnarvon family currently lives at Highclere Castle. They have resided on the site since 1679. It serves as the historic country seat of the Earls of Carnarvon.
Standard adult admission for the Castle, Exhibition, and Gardens is generally about £32. Tickets for just the Castle and Gardens cost about £25. Read more on Ticket Booking Guide.
The castle is massive. It boasts between 250 and 300 rooms in total. Visitors can explore the main state rooms and select historical bedrooms during their tour.
Yes. All tickets must be pre-booked in advance online. Walk-ups are generally not accommodated. Tickets sell out quickly during the limited summer opening season.
No. Photography and videography are strictly prohibited inside the Castle and the Egyptian Exhibition. You may take photos of the exterior and the gardens.
Book your tickets or London tour package well in advance.
