Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle is a Jacobethan castle in Highclere, Hampshire, England, and a filming location for Downton Abbey (2010-2015), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999) among other productions. Built in 1842, it was designed by Sir Charles Barry, and is Grade I listed.

Location: Highclere Park, Highclere, Hampshire, England

Verified facts

• Located in Highclere, Highclere
  confidence 75/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0668, SRC-3870
• Designed by Sir Charles Barry
  confidence 80/100 · 5 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0669, SRC-3671, SRC-3870
• Built in 1842
  confidence 90/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-0543, SRC-0542, SRC-0670, SRC-0669
• Architectural style: Jacobethan
  confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0671
• Historic designation: Grade I listed
  confidence 75/100 · 3 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-0671, SRC-3037
• Appeared in Downton Abbey (tv, 2010-2015)
  confidence 90/100 · 7 recorded source groups · SRC-4320, SRC-4321, SRC-7313, SRC-7314, SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0672
• Appeared in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (movie, 1991)
  confidence 95/100 · 6 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7315, SRC-7316, SRC-9300, SRC-9668
• Appeared in Eyes Wide Shut (movie, 1999)
  confidence 90/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7317, SRC-7318
• Appeared in The Secret Garden (movie, 1987)
  confidence 95/100 · 6 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7319, SRC-7320, SRC-9301, SRC-9668
• Appeared in The Missionary (movie, 1982)
  confidence 75/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-9301, SRC-0542, SRC-14207, SRC-14384
• Appeared in King Ralph (movie, 1991)
  confidence 75/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-9301, SRC-2360, SRC-14384
• Appeared in The Four Feathers (movie, 2002)
  confidence 75/100 · 4 recorded source groups · SRC-0542, SRC-9301, SRC-14206, SRC-14384

Evidence & sources

• SRC-0542 — Highclere Castle — Wikipedia (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0543 — Highclere Castle — Encyclopaedia Britannica (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0668 — Historic Houses — Highclere Castle (Visit) (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0669 — Historic Houses — Highclere Castle (History) (Tier 2, institutional; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0670 — Highclere Castle — Castle & Gardens (official site) (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0671 — Historic England — Highclere Castle, Grade I listed building (List Entry 1092528) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-0672 — Highclere Castle — official site, Downton Abbey page (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-14206 — Willow and Thatch — Movies filmed at Highclere Castle (Tier 2, reference; retrieved July 2026)
• SRC-14207 — The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations (movie-locations.com) — Downton Abbey filming locations (Tier 2, reference; retrieved July 2026)
• SRC-14384 — Wikishire — Highclere Castle (Tier 2, reference; retrieved July 2026)
• SRC-2360 — King Ralph filming locations – Movie-Locations.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3037 — British Heritage — "Highclere Castle" (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3671 — christies.com (Tier 3, reference; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-3870 — britannica.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4320 — visitbritain.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4321 — loveproperty.com (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4326 — visit-hampshire.co.uk (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4772 — Highclere Castle (official site) (Tier 1, official_site; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-4773 — Visit Hampshire (regional tourism authority) (Tier 2, tourism_authority; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7313 — Highclere Castle — Downton Abbey (Tier 2, official-site; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7314 — Encyclopaedia Britannica — Downton Abbey (Tier 2, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7315 — MovieMaps — Movies Filmed at Highclere Castle (Tier 3, database; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7316 — Hip Over Fifty Travel — Let's Visit Highclere Castle Home of Downton Abbey (Tier 3, travel-blog; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7317 — Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut And Downton Abbey Share A Surprising Connection — SlashFilm (Tier 2, entertainment publication; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7318 — Stanley Kubrick: A Heritage Odyssey — Heritage Calling (Historic England) (Tier 1, heritage organization; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7319 — Gardens, Heritage and Planning: 'The Secret Garden' Filming Locations (Tier 3, blog; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-7320 — IMDb: The Secret Garden (TV Movie 1987) — Trivia (Tier 3, database; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-9300 — Nerdventures Travel — Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Filming Locations You Can Visit (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-9301 — GBH (WGBH Boston) — Other Places You've Seen Downton Abbey's Highclere Castle (Tier 2, journalism; retrieved June 2026)
• SRC-9668 — Test Valley Borough Council — Hampshire Film Map (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)

How we verify

The entries above show the sources and confidence scores recorded in our fact ledger.
Source tiers are internal classifications, not guarantees of accuracy or independence.
Several sources may repeat the same underlying account; a source count alone does not establish independent corroboration. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

How is Highclere Castle connected to Downton Abbey?

Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, has a documented connection to Downton Abbey. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include Eyes Wide Shut, King Ralph, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.

How is Highclere Castle connected to Eyes Wide Shut?

Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, has a documented connection to Eyes Wide Shut. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include Downton Abbey, King Ralph, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.

How is Highclere Castle connected to King Ralph?

Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, has a documented connection to King Ralph. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include Downton Abbey, Eyes Wide Shut, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.

How is Highclere Castle connected to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves?

Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, has a documented connection to Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Read the sourced facts on this page for the type of connection. Other associated screen titles include Downton Abbey, Eyes Wide Shut, King Ralph, The Four Feathers.

Can you visit Highclere Castle?

Yes — Highclere Castle is open to the public on a limited basis. Hours: Open only on selected dates (e.g. spring Apr-late May; summer ~mid-Jul to early Sep, closed Fri/Sat in summer). Afternoon entry windows apply (last entry/close ~4pm). Check the 'What's On' calendar for exact open days.. Admission: Castle + gardens ~£25 adult, ~£15 child (4-16), ~£23 senior/student; family (2+2) ~£70. Castle+gardens+Egyptian Exhibition ~£32 adult, ~£17.50 child, ~£30 senior/student; family ~£87. Pre-book online; tickets sell out well in advance..

Who designed Highclere Castle?

Highclere Castle was designed by Sir Charles Barry.

Where is Highclere Castle located?

Highclere Castle is located in Highclere, Hampshire.