Highclere Castle

Thursday 19th July 2012

A visit to the fabulous location of the hit series Downton Abbey! Highclere is one of England's most beautiful Victorian Castles, set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular Parkland.

The Carnarvon family has lived at Highclere since 1679, although records show the Castle itself stands on the site of an earlier house, which in turn was built on the foundations of the medieval palace owned by the Bishops of Winchester.

A "Monks' Garden", south east of the Castle, is so named because this was where the monks used to grow their fruit trees and vegetables. It is now a walled garden with roses, quinces, figs and lavender.

Cost: £16.50 (£17.50 non-members).