Highclere offers different tours throughout the year, which reflect the seasons, the history and of course Downton Abbey. Please do click here to browse the various admission tickets. Most of our tours require you to pre-book, so do check before travelling! If you have booked tickets and would like to reserve a manual wheelchair, please email [email protected]. Pushchairs for babies and toddlers are most useful for the gardens and may be left at the Entrance Hall whilst you tour the Castle at which point, we would ask you to carry or hold fast to small childrens' hands! Again this year. Neither dogs nor picnics are permitted in the gardens(guide dogs excepted).
Pushchairs are not permitted in the Castle, but can be left in the front hall, space permitting (at your own risk).
During our Public Open dates in the Spring and Summer, children under 4 are free of charge and do not require a ticket.
Photography is not permitted within the Castle but it is allowed outside for personal use only. Drones, however, are not permitted anywhere on the Estate.
Dogs are not permitted in the Castle, Exhibition or Gardens with the exception of guide dogs. Please note that if you wish to bring a guide dog on site, we respectfully ask you to let us know in advance and to bring the correct livery and any corresponding paperwork. Dogs are welcome on the public footpaths which run through part of the estate but please do ensure they are kept on a lead at all times due to our grazing livestock.
(Please note when the Castle is open to the public none of the public footpaths are accessible from the car parking area. Any visitors wishing to walk before or after visiting the Castle need to park off of the estate).
Whilst Highclere Castle is a historic building there is nevertheless disabled access for most areas. Wheelchairs are welcome in the Egyptian Exhibition (access to this is via the Courtyard at the back of the Castle).
There is no lift but we provide photographic albums of the bedrooms on the first floor. Whilst it is not possible to bring motorised wheelchairs into the Castle, they are welcome on the paths around the lawns.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for use by disabled members of the public within the Castle. We would advise pre-booking with the Castle Office due to limited supply.
For more detailed information about our disabled access, please click HERE.
The Gardens and Grounds are open to the visiting public during public opening times (i.e Spring and Summer). Whilst there are some gravel paths around the Castle lawns and through some of the Gardens, the Woodland Walks are rougher grass paths, as are the paths through the Flower Meadow in the summer. Please note that an admission ticket is always required for entrance to the Castle, Gardens, and Grounds.
The Tearooms are open from 9:30am during public opening times for morning cappuccinos, teas and croissants made in the Castle kitchens. Throughout the day, the Tea Rooms and Cafes offer a delicious selection of sandwiches, salads, wraps, cakes and scones. Hot takeaway food (from paninis to pasties, baguettes with local sausages) can be enjoyed in the middle of every day. Highclere's “Josephine Van-essa” is parked on the Castle lawns offering ice creams and smoothies, whilst Luis' Cocktail Bar offers Highclere Castle Gin cocktails, Pimm’s. Champagne and wine are available as well.
Please note that our menus may be subject to change. Highclere Castle is a responsible food provider and complies with the new Food Allergen labelling laws which were introduced in December 2014. Please note that we do not offer a Vegan menu, nor can we guarantee that our products are DAIRY FREE or NUT FREE. If you have any dietary concerns please speak to a member of staff.
We kindly ask that if you bring a picnic with you, do enjoy it by your car and please be responsible: take away all litter with you.
The Castle Gift Shop is also open from 9.30am and offers a wide selection of gifts from books, to homewares, Highclere Gin and other local produce. Find the chocolates, biscuits, Highclere afternoon tea sets, hats, jewellery and wonderful memories of Highclere… You can also order online form the Castle Gift Shop here. You will find plant stalls by the tearooms, as well as plant pots and garden ornaments.
Smoking is not permitted within the vicinity of any building at any time.
Please click here to view a map of our grounds
This information is correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
Please call our 24-hour telephone information line on 01635 253204 to confirm before traveling.
Highclere Castle, Newbury RG20 9RN
Tel: 01635 253210
Email: Please click here.
Highclere Castle is a trading name of Highclere Enterprises LLP, The Estate Office,
Highclere Park, Newbury RG20 9RN
We have now released group bookings for 2025, in order to request a booking, please login via the link below. If you are not already registered as a group, please contact [email protected] to request a booking.
As in 2024, we are again only able to offer one booking per company. The minimum number of adult visitors per group booking is 30 and the maximum 53. This can be made up from any combination of visitor types for example adult, child, disabled, carer.
If you have a confirmed group booking, you can access your account at the link below. This is where you can update your passenger numbers and pay for your booking up until 30 days prior to the visit date. Please do ensure your account is kept up to date and you have familiarised yourself with the group policy and group information documents.
