Highclere Castle is a Grade I listed country house built in 1679 and largely renovated in the 1840s, with a park designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century. The 5,000-acre estate is in Hampshire, England, about 5 miles south of Newbury, Berkshire, and 9.5 miles north of Andover, Hampshire. Source Wikipedia

Spending a few days with friends at Littlecote Hotel, I just had to visit nearby Highclere Castle, home of Downton Abbey

Current COVID restrictions meant the castle has to be prebooked and this combined with its popularity and fame have hiked the entrance fee quite alarmingly. I paid a whopping £125 for admission, afternoon tea and a signed book, this was the only option available during my time there, and in all honesty I felt afterwards that it wasn’t bad value at all. My friends however decided to keep their money, so I happily visited on my own!

We were welcomed by the Countess in a fabulous, well loved, straw hat. She gave a short, but interesting talk on the history of Highclere, her own experiences, she’s the Earls second wife, some family history, their passion for trees and sustainable farming and of course a bit about Downton Abbey. The only disappointment for me was when she told us of the no photography policy in the house! She happily chatted and answered questions before handing us over to her 4 guides

The main differences I noticed from the series & film were, the rooms, especially the bedrooms were smaller than expected, the hallway is spectacular, 2 storey with a glass roof, however the pillars which exist in reality are never seen on TV, the kitchens from the series don’t exist – they are in a film studio in Ealing. The library was amazing, other than the desk is not in the window, it was just like we’d called in to visit Lady Mary!

My favourite room, which is also Maggie Smiths favourite, was the tiny Morning Room, really girly and comfy in pink and cream florals. It’s here Dame Maggie waits, tucked up in blankets in-front of the fire waiting to be called for her scenes. She’s a staff favourite, arrives without a script as she knows her lines word perfect, and has time to chat in the cosy little room, probably smaller than your living room

I also particularly enjoyed the Egyptian exhibition downstairs, where the old kitchens would have been. The 5th Earl and Archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922, and this was exceptionally well done. It highlights their story, how he had almost led the family to bankruptcy and ruin, and shows how they found the tomb, where you peep through the peepholes in the dark to get a hint of the treasures inside, before, finally a recreation of the tomb in all its splendour

Afternoon tea was buffet style in that you queued and collected a tray, and eaten on the lawn. After 2 hours wandering round the house I was definitely ready for it! There were no vegetarian alternatives in the sandwiches and while neither the soup or the quiche were warm they were tasty. I certainly wasn’t able to finish this lot even with only eating one sandwich! A friend did comment on the lack of teapot and cup and saucer, and to be honest another cup of tea would have gone down a treat

We were free to walk among the gardens, designed by the famous Capability Brown, they were stunning with lots of ancient trees and follies built in the hillsides. The walled garden was fabulous , but I still prefer our own at Florencecourt, however their greenhouse was fully restored and in full production

I’m glad I spent the money, I’d a great day out and I’m unlikely to get the chance to visit again.