January 5, 2026, 1:13 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
At the sight of Highclere Castle near London, many people do a double-take: Isn’t that Downton Abbey, the estate from the famous TV series of the same name? Indeed, the historical drama about the life of the aristocratic Crawley family is filmed at Highclere Castle. But the castle is not just a filming location; it’s also a museum and, most importantly, the home of the eighth Earl of Carnarvon.
Highclere Castle is located near Newbury, a small town about 60 miles west of London. The estate has been owned by the Earls of Carnarvon for ages. The castle was built between 1839 and 1842 by Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament in London—the resemblance is unmistakable. The third Earl of Carnarvon, Henry Herbert, had very specific ideas about how his future home should look.
Overview
Highclere Castle – the “Real” Downton Abbey
The castle was built in the 19th-century Neo-Renaissance style, with elements from Gothic and Central European Renaissance architecture. The facade is made of Bath Stone, a limestone from southern England. Towers stand at the corners, and another rises in the center.
The rooms of the castle are magnificent, and one can easily imagine Lady Mary Crawley (Michelle Dockery), her father Robert (Hugh Bonneville), the Earl of Grantham, or her grandmother Violet (Maggie Smith) in them. More than that: We’ve already seen them there.
Impressive Halls
Particularly spectacular is the salon, the heart of the house. It is furnished in the Gothic style. The walls are decorated with leather that the third Earl brought from Spanish Cordoba. They have hung in the castle since 1862. In the dining room, there is a painting by van Dyck, and portraits of the Earls of Carnarvon can also be found there. The library, once used by the fourth Earl as a retreat, contains 5,650 books, the oldest from the 16th century. Today, the family likes to gather in this room before or after meals.
Embroidery on the Walls
Francis Hayman painted the baroque ceiling of the music room in 1730, whose walls are adorned with Italian embroidery from the 16th century. Alfred de Rothschild’s daughter, Almina, designed the drawing room and brought green silk from France to the walls. In the room are narrow cabinets where the fifth Earl stored his collection of Egyptian antiquities. The smoking room was outfitted with Dutch paintings from the 17th century, some of which hang high on the walls.
Countless Bedrooms
On the first floor, there are eleven bedrooms, some of which are shown during tours, and on the other floors, there are another 40 to 50 bedrooms that are no longer used. They have been renovated and furnished by the Duchess of Carnarvon over the past five years. Some of the bedrooms are also locations for the “Downton Abbey” filming.
“Downton Abbey” Kitchens Are in London
The lower floors are the areas where kitchens, utility rooms, staff dining rooms, and cellars were once located. For “Downton Abbey,” these areas were relocated to Ealing Studios in London, so the scenes were filmed there.
Grand Staircases
The most impressive details in Highclere Castle are the two main staircases, the Oak and the Red Staircase. The Oak Staircase is a focal point in the Italian tower. It took almost a year to carve and install. The Red Staircase leads to the second floor.
Stories About the “Real” Downton Abbey
Life at the castle is not as grand and—occasionally—scheming as in “Downton Abbey.” Long dresses and fine suits are not necessarily part of the everyday attire of the householders. However, the series has long become part of their lives. Not only because the actors come and go on the estate, but also because Lady Carnarvon has joined the ranks of writers and penned stories about the real Downton Abbey.
Visit to the Castle
Highclere Castle is only open to the public for a few months each year. In 2026, the castle can be visited from April 5 to May 28 and from July 12 to September 3. Tickets can be ordered online or purchased at the gate on opening days. The best time to visit is around 2:30 p.m.
The gardens and parklands are also impressive—a visit is worthwhile. Another attraction is the Egyptian Museum, whose exhibits were collected by the fifth Earl of Carnarvon. These include replicas of Tutankhamun’s tomb and even original pieces. Climbing the stairs in the castle makes one feel a bit like the gentry in “Downton Abbey”—and that’s what makes Highclere Castle so special.