Highclere Castle Facts & Figures

Highclere Castle: Frequently Cited Facts

Architecture

• Designed in the Jacobethan Revival style by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament
• Faced in Bath stone, weathered to its current golden colour over nearly two centuries
• The Saloon's leather wall coverings date to the 17th century, predating the current exterior by roughly 150 years
• Grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th century

History

• An estate has existed on this site since at least 749, originally owned by the Bishops of Winchester for around 800 years
• The 5th Earl of Carnarvon financed Howard Carter's excavation work that led to the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
• The castle served as a military hospital during the First World War, run by the 5th Countess

Visiting

• Highclere is not open to the public year-round — it operates on a seasonal opening calendar with Spring and Summer windows
• Photography is not permitted inside the castle, but is allowed on the grounds
• Dogs are not permitted inside the castle or gardens, except guide dogs
• Large bags and backpacks must be left in the car — no storage inside the castle itself

Downton Abbey

• Filming began at Highclere in 2010 and continued across six television series and multiple feature films
• Bampton, the real Oxfordshire village, was used as the on-screen Downton Village
• Cogges Manor Farm was used as Yew Tree Farm in the series