South East England | Berkshire | Castles and Forts | Highclere Castle & Gardens

Welcome to the real world of Downton Abbey

HIGHCLERE CASTLE has been the home of the Earls of Carnarvon for over 300 years. Situated 65 miles west of London, it is often described as the finest occupied Victorianmansionin England. Designed and built by Sir Charles Barry,thearchitect of the Houses of Parliament, it was completed in 1862.

The Castle was the seat, 100 years ago, of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who famously discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian Boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun, in 1922 with his archaeological colleague, HowardCarter.

Today, the 8th Earl and Countess have opened a new Egyptian Exhibition throughout the cellars of the Castle to celebrate the 5th Earl’s achievements. This “Wonderful Things” Exhibition contains many 3,000-5,000 year old artefacts excavated by Carnarvon and Carter during their expeditions to the archaeological sites of ancient Egypt.

It also tells the story of how the two men worked from 1907 to 1922 in Middle and Lower Egypt, culminating in their unsurpassed find in the Valley of the Kings, near modern day Luxor. Visitors to the Exhibition are taken on a walk of discovery with views into the antechamber and over 60 incredible replicas of objects found in the tomb.