Highclere

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle is a country house in the Jacobethan style located in Hampshire, England, about 5 miles (8 km) south of Newbury, Berkshire. The 5,000-acre (2,000 ha) estate has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Carnarvon since 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, Attorney General to Charles II.

The present Highclere Castle was designed by architect Charles Barry and built from 1842 to 1849 on the site of an earlier house. Barry's design transformed the Georgian mansion into what is essentially a Jacobean style building.

Highclere Castle is widely known as the main filming location for the historical drama television series Downton Abbey, which aired from 2010 to 2015 and has since spawned films. The castle is open to the public for tours on select dates, and is a popular tourist destination due to its architectural significance and association with Downton Abbey. The current Earl and Countess of Carnarvon reside at Highclere Castle for at least part of the year.