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 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0668, SRC-3870 - Designed by Sir Charles Barry
confidence 80/100 · 5 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0669, SRC-3671, SRC-3870 - Built in 1842
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-0543, SRC-0542, SRC-0670, SRC-0669 - Architectural style: Jacobethan
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-0543, SRC-0671 - Historic designation: Grade I listed
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-0671, SRC-3037 - Appeared in Downton Abbey (tv, 2010-2015)
confidence 90/100 · 7 independent sources · 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 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7315, SRC-7316, SRC-9300, SRC-9668 - Appeared in Eyes Wide Shut (movie, 1999)
confidence 90/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7317, SRC-7318 - Appeared in The Secret Garden (movie, 1987)
confidence 95/100 · 6 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-4326, SRC-7319, SRC-7320, SRC-9301, SRC-9668 - Appeared in The Missionary (movie, 1982)
confidence 75/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-9301, SRC-0542, SRC-14207, SRC-14384 - Appeared in King Ralph (movie, 1991)
confidence 75/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-0542, SRC-9301, SRC-2360, SRC-14384 - Appeared in The Four Feathers (movie, 2002)
confidence 75/100 · 4 independent sources · 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
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. 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.
Plan Your Visit
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.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Downton Abbey filmed?
Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, is a real-world filming location used for Downton Abbey. This property has also appeared on screen in Eyes Wide Shut, King Ralph, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.
Where was Eyes Wide Shut filmed?
Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, is a real-world filming location used for Eyes Wide Shut. This property has also appeared on screen in Downton Abbey, King Ralph, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.
Where was King Ralph filmed?
Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, is a real-world filming location used for King Ralph. This property has also appeared on screen in Downton Abbey, Eyes Wide Shut, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Four Feathers.
Where was Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves filmed?
Highclere Castle, in Highclere, Hampshire, is a real-world filming location used for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. This property has also appeared on screen in 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.