Downton Abbey and Stonehenge

This is a must-do tour for any Downton Abbey fan!

Highlights:

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Visit the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, with Hampshire Ambassador, Phil Howe
Visit Salisbury Cathedral and medieval City
Visit Stonehenge Stone Circle

Downton Abbey

Winner of best mini-series at the 2012 Golden Globes, Downton Abbey is the most successful British period drama since Brideshead Revisited, with ratings exceeding 10 million viewers

Longstanding friend of the Carnarvon family, Julian Fellowes had Highclere Castle in mind as he wrote Downton Abbey, and you can visit the stately home in style on the Real Downton Abbey Tour

Downton Abbey follows the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them, whose lives were changed forever during the First World War. The world of Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey were changed irrevocably by the First World War

Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle 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, and the current Castle 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 for some 800 years

Visitors follow a route through the Castle though rooms with guides in each State room happy to share anecdotes and information. Visitors can then go up the Red Stairs to view some of the Bedrooms and the Gallery before walking down the Oak staircase to the Saloon in the heart of the Castle.

As well as the castle, the extensive grounds are rewarding to explore

Salisbury Cathedral and Medieval City

Afterwards we drive south passed Old Sarum Castle and visit the beautiful medieval city of  Salisbury and explore the magnificent Cathedral crowned with the tallest spire in Britain and built by medieval craftsmen over 750 years ago. See one of the few surviving original texts of the Magna Carta and wander around the picturesque streets of this ancient market town.

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*food/drink not included

Stonehenge Prehistoric Stone Circle

The most famous prehistoric monument in the world, and now a world heritage site, Stonehenge stands alone in the vast empty tract of Salisbury plain. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years and it has been home to pagan religion and spiritual worship, not to be mention public debate ever since. What was this vast collection of stones intended for? Was it observatory of the moon, a temple to the sun, or an elaborate cemetery? Who were the people who carried and carved these 40 ton rocks? Come and unlock the secrets for yourself and marvel at this remarkable and mysterious feat of ancient engineering and design.

Our 'Downton Abbey Tour' is a best seller and must be booked well in advance!
We also have further Downton Abbey Tour available and we are happy to send more options.

Private Tours of Downton Abbey can also be arrange on most days throughout 2022 when Highclere Castle is open. Please contact us for a competitive quote, it may be cheaper than joining the scheduled tours.