It has been such a dream of mine to visit Highclere Castle and it really lived up to expectations. As a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I knew it would be the perfect day out for me. However, we managed to visit on one of their history weekends which made it all the more special.
Upon arrival at Highclere Castle, it is impossible not to be swept up in the grandeur of it all. It truly is a marvel and you feel like you are driving into the opening credits of the TV show. The grounds are immaculate and were available for us to walk round throughout the day. Surrounding the castle were lots of pop up exhibitions about the castle and the surrounding areas efforts in World War 2. There were actors, vehicles, helicopters and performers. I really did feel like I had travelled in time.
Our slot to tour the house was later on in the day, so we made the most of the sunshine and walked around outside. The attention to detail of the day made it so fun, especially when Winston Churchill arrived. We kept bumping into him throughout the day and it made me smile each time! Also, walking around the grounds was Lady Carnarvon and I was just in awe of seeing her each time. Included in the price of our ticket was a signed copy of one of Lady Carnarvon's books, which I can't wait to read and update you all on!
In the grounds is a beautiful café, tearoom and there was also a cocktail bar! It would be rude to visit Highclere and not try one of their gins! There is a special Highclere Castle gin that you really must try - it was delicious!
Then came time for our tour. Even if you aren't a fan of Downton Abbey, you really must come and see it for yourself. Each room is so amazing and there are hidden secrets at nearly every turn. My favourite part was obviously learning about some of the filming secrets! Like the door in the library that is painted with books to make the wall look longer and allow the camera crew to enter from a different direction. In lots of rooms, there were costumes and props from the TV show and film. But also, as we went on a wartime weekend, there were artefacts from when the house was used for evacuees. I really enjoyed learning about the school that was set up at the castle and seeing all the children's drawings of the Lord and Lady at the time. I couldn't help but think how amazing it must have been for these children, to come from a war torn city like London and end up in a Castle!
Deep beneath the castle you will find the Egypt exhibition. Howard Carter, who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, was funded and supported by Lord Carnarvon. Like all amazing discoveries, the tomb was found just before they were about to give up! In the exhibition are some authentic pieces of jewellery and art that were excavated from the tomb and also a replica of King Tut himself! The real coffin and body of King Tut are of course kept in Egypt, but it was incredible to see what it looked like. The walls of the exhibition were decorated like the tomb so you really felt transported.
As a history fan, I felt well and truly impressed with all the different time periods I got to learn about. As a Downton Abbey fan, I was in awe of the costumes and seeing the rooms in real life. I was that kind of crazed fan, that walked around the garden and pointed at a tree and said "that's a very important tree, lots of dramatic conversations happen under that tree!".
Have you been to Highclere Castle? What did you think of your trip?
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