Downton Abbey Day – Highclere Castle Vlog

To see a vlog of our favourite castle, check out this video of Arundel : https://youtu.be/7OnmWWQzVlc or see our favourite house & gardens video of Cragside here: https://youtu.be/GJldoOPYxg0

I visited in September 2016, after the visitor season was over on a special tour that was offered. It was 100 pounds but limited to about 100 guests. The Countess came downstairs and spoke to us for about 15 minutes. We were divided into small groups and took around by a guide explaining all about the rooms. We got to see the Egyptian exhibits and there was tea, sandwiches and scones included after. Also received a small gift bag. It was very peaceful walking about the grounds after. Took a taxi up from the train station. It was a great visit.

Never watched a single episode! It looks very busy. You had a beautiful day for it! I hate wasps!! We're glad your friends enjoyed their visit. Cheers 🍻

I'm a huge Downton Abbey fan too! 🤗 It was interesting that you questioned the reasons why people visit these castles 🤔 I'm a big history buff so I would put history over recent media associations. I noticed you pronounced 'Jocobean' as 'Jake - obean' rather than 'Jack'. That was interesting to me too! Oh my, those poor guys trying to empty the bins while batting away the wasps! I enjoyed your summing up at the end.. It was a shame that all the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' rooms were not open to the public. Thanks for a fun vlog. I'm glad your friends enjoyed the trip 😊😊

🎵When you're alone, and life is making you lonely you can always go...Downton. (Petula Clark) 😁

Great idea to get there early, Dara and Ian. I think that applies at all tourist places, that you can at least get in before the long lines. Beautiful castle and we enjoyed hearing some of it's history. Busy bee's though and a dangerous job emptying the trash! 🤣🤣Enjoyed hearing your friends and your thoughts. Surprised that the rooms weren't bigger. The little film seen first would be great for a YT vlogger too! 😁😁That way I wouldn't have to talk about something I know nothing about! Shame about the filming not being allowed. Enjoyed the video though.

I think that no matter why you want to visit a particular property its good that you go, It helps with their upkeep and helps to keep Britain's history alive. Maybe you visit for Harry Potter or Downtown but then get to appreciate the history it might inspire you to visit other properties.

One day, one of these castles will have a statue of YOU outside.

Thats great 👍 glad your enjoying your visit 🇬🇧

To me Highclere Castle will always be Totleigh Towers, the home of, Sir Watkins Basset, in the Jeeves and Wooster TV series, featuring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

I've never quite understood this fascination with visiting places just because they have been used as a film location. I must admit to a definite buzz when I stood on the terrace at Bentley Priory and stared at a clear blue sky to the south, just as Laurence Olivier does at the end of the film "Battle of Britain", but I suspect that was more knowing that Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding must have done the very same thing on that spot. Perhaps it's different if it's a true story filmed on the original location?

Lovely looking building, great drive up. Wow, busy spot. Bit like Castle Howard being in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton. Great history and photos Dara. Scary wasps. Take in that fresh insect repellent, get a good lung full! 😂 magenta hats, flowers and handbags? Check! Nice Christmas Card designs. Does seem like more of a film set tour than a historic tour. Not a patch on Arundel! Great honest review 👍

I went to Highclere in 2022. Absolutely loved every minute of it. But I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I’ve seen every episode of the series at least 9 times. I quit counting after that !! It seems like every time I watch it, I notice something new. It’s a brilliant show!!

What you both say is exactly the advice I’ve seen given by locals to Americans asking about travelling to Highclere, “there are much more interesting & better homes to visit” reminding tv fans that a lot of the inside scenes are shot in a studio with specially built sets, also attempting to use public transport to get there is quite tedious.

I loved Downton Abbey but haven't been to Highclere (yet!) Getting to a popular place as soon as it opens and then walking quickly to the part you want to see first, has worked for me a few times, to avoid having to dodge crowds to see what I want to see. Interesting that the Egyptology section is a different ticket, previous to the show Downton Abbey, that exhibition was the main reason why people visited.

if your friends are fans of Downton Abbey suggest they check out "upstairs downstairs" a extremely popular TV series from the late 70's without that ime sure there would have been no Downton Abbey TV show !!

Those wasps, so annoying and the sting so painful. That would have put a damper on anyone's day. Those poor workers. Amazing building. Am I allowed to confess to have only seen a couple of Downtown Abbey episodes. Maybe I should binge-watch. Just haven't gotten into the story somehow. The castle looked so impressively huge. I guess just the sight of it would leave a lasting impression. The interior looked very grand indeed. Just imagine how those children who were sheltered there must have felt seeing their 'safe house' for the first time. Great visit and loved the review. Happy weekend. 👌🇳🇿🙋‍♀🥝

Hiya Dara, Highclere Castle looks great, besides the wasps of course, Me and my Mam have watched every episode of Downton Abbey, it was nice to see what its really like, Downton Abbey is supposed to be set in the north (Yorkshire) but its filmed in Hampshire, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

Hey, Nice to meet you i'm British and not far from you when you come to your british home from Texas, Love you and your videos and thank you for the tours and all your videos you do. SUBCRIBED to you Keep up the good work. and keep enjoying my homeland xx

Wasps what a PITA they can be at some locations when eating sweet things outdoors in late summer in the UK, those staff deserve a medal. Nice video, useful and interesting, we have never been, agree with all your other alternative top picks they are all excellent. Highclere, as a non fan of the tv show, it wont be on my must do list…it will be on a maybe list someday.