Recently I stayed in the New Forest for a short break and was looking for places in the area to visit. Me and my partner decided to travel to Highclere Castle, which was an hour’s drive away.
Despite not being too near, I was keen to see Highclere Castle, as it’s where the television show Downton Abbey was filmed. All tickets were sold out for months in advance, but we took a gamble going, as there’s a set amount of tickets you can buy on the day. Thankfully it wasn’t a wasted journey and we managed to get in!
Highclere Castle, despite being called a castle is more of a large stately home. Records show buildings were at Highclere from 749AD and there’s been constant buildings and activity in this area since. Highclere itself has been built and rebuilt, but the current gothic style with turrets, was completed in Victorian times.
Highclere is owned and lived in by the Carnarvon family, so it’s very much an active home. The castle has been passed down the family for generations and they also own the 5000 acres of land surrounding the property. However, Highclere Castles biggest claim to fame, is for being the location Downton Abbey was filmed at.
Sadly no photography is allowed inside the building, but all of the rooms are beautiful and full of valuable antiques, such as Napoleon’s desk and chair. There is information on the Carnarvon family and also photos and notes about Downton Abbey, and which rooms were used for filming.
One thing I will say, is that the rooms are a fair bit smaller than they appear on tv, but I really enjoyed visiting the house.
In need of a short break we stopped in the tea rooms at Highclere Castle, and where better to have the British favourite, tea and scones than here?. Scones are served with cream and jam and were just as delicious as they look!
Feeling refreshed it was time to hit the gift shop. There were beautiful hats and traditional jewellery that could have come straight from Downton Abbey itself. I tried on several hats, before buying a printed cushion to brighten up my home.
Finally it was time to take in some of Highclere’s peaceful and wonderful grounds and gardens. There were walled Victorian gardens to grow vegetables, large statues and enough land to get lost in.
One garden temple named Jackdaws Castle stood out. It was originally created as a viewing point to admire the house and grounds, but was instead viewed mostly from the house as a decoration. A very pricey one I might add.
All too soon, it was time to leave. I could have easily spent hours exploring the grounds, but Highclere was closing for the night. If you’re in the area, I would definitely recommend visiting this enchanting castle that so captivated me.
Really beautiful grounds. I watched all the episodes and loved the era it showcased. You are so lucky to have been to visit.
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The grounds are very beautiful. The family living there are very lucky. I loved the show too and really enjoyed the early 1900’s-1920’s times featured in the show☺ I am, I was looking forward to visiting the house x
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They got the details down so well and I loved seeing the fashion evolve in the series. Glad you did go in.
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The dining room is not changed at all for filming, so a lot of the rooms in Highclere are perfect for a show like Downton Abbey☺ I loved the fashion, I love the clothes from the early 1900’s. Me too! I was a bit worried we’d not get in x
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You look really cute in the hat! Your gamble paid off then. Does the family still live there?
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I loved the hats! I was so tempted to buy one☺ It did pay of thankfully. Yes this is the families main home, so they are there most of the year x
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But the throw pillow was a sweet choice and you get to look at it everyday too. This is on my places to go to list in future.
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The pillow is lovely, it really adds a nice decoration to my bed. You should. There’s so many big stately homes and castles in the UK you would love☺ x
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This looks so beautiful! It’s cool that you can actually visit and see what it’s like in person 🙂 That’s a rather large scone but it looks very yummy 😉
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It’s a really beautiful house and gardens. It’s nice that it’s not a tv set, but a real house that has hardly been changed for filming☺ It was a large scone. Once you add jam and cream, scones really fill you up☺ x
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That is such a beautiful place ! Wish I lived in a castle 👑😉
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It is beautiful. Haha me too☺😂 x
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That is such a nice castle! I would like to go there 🙂 x
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It’s really beautiful. It’s a shame I couldn’t take photos inside, as there’s a beautiful staircase and upper floor that’s used in Downton Abbey☺ xx
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But it’s often like that. In such wonderful places you aren’t allowed to take pictures. Xx
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In a lot of our old houses you can’t take photos. It’s a shame as they’re always so beautiful. They’re still lovely to walk around and see though☺ x
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Happy to have found your blog! I love the layout and the pics you post! lus, I’m a travel lover too so following you will definitely be interesting!
Looking forward to following you! 🙂
https://fromdreamtoplan.wordpress.com/
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Thank you☺ I have followed you back x
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Oh Thanks so nice of you! 🙂
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☺ xx
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So lucky that you got to visit this beautiful place! One day I’ll go too 🙂
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It’s really beautiful, so I do feel lucky that I got to visit☺ You should. If you like beautiful, historic homes then you’ll love it x
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Oh I’m sure I’d love it. I keep it in mind for my next trip to Europe. Thanks for the follow!
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No problem☺ x
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The castle looks amazing!
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It was really beautiful☺ x
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