Explore
A History of
Highclere Castle
From a 17th-century country house to one of England's most celebrated estates — four centuries of history, discovery, and remarkable lives.
Highclere Castle stands in 1,000 acres of Hampshire parkland designed by Capability Brown. The present castle was built between 1838 and 1842 by Sir Charles Barry — the same architect who designed the Houses of Parliament — for the 3rd Earl of Carnarvon. Its Jacobethan style, with its dramatic towers and pinnacles, makes it one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in England.
Timeline
The First House
Sir Robert Sawyer builds the first substantial house on the Highclere estate, establishing the family seat in Hampshire.
The Carnarvon Earldom
The estate passes through generations, with the first Earl of Carnarvon created in 1793. The Georgian house is extended and the parkland shaped.
Charles Barry's Masterpiece
The 3rd Earl commissions Sir Charles Barry — architect of the Houses of Parliament — to transform the house into the magnificent Victorian Gothic Revival castle seen today.
The 5th Earl Inherits
George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, inherits the estate. A passionate Egyptologist, he will go on to fund Howard Carter's excavations in the Valley of the Kings.
The Discovery of Tutankhamun
On 4 November 1922, Howard Carter discovers the steps leading to Tutankhamun's tomb. The 5th Earl is present at the opening, one of archaeology's greatest moments.
The 5th Earl Dies in Cairo
Lord Carnarvon dies in Cairo just months after the discovery, aged 56. His collection of Egyptian artefacts remains at Highclere to this day.
Downton Abbey Filming Begins
Highclere Castle becomes the principal filming location for ITV's Downton Abbey, bringing the estate to global audiences of over 120 million viewers.
The Carnarvon Family Home
The 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon continue to live at and manage Highclere, opening the castle and grounds to visitors while preserving its extraordinary heritage.
Discover More
Visit the castle, explore the Egyptian Exhibition, or walk the gardens that inspired generations of the Carnarvon family.