Highclere Castle is a grand English country house located in Hampshire, England, near Newbury. It is famously known as the real-life setting for the television series "Downton Abbey." The castle is a large estate with over 200 rooms and sits on about 430 hectares (approximately 1,060 acres) of land. It was originally associated with the Bishops of Winchester from the 8th century and has evolved through several architectural and ownership changes over the centuries. The current Highclere Castle structure was largely rebuilt and remodeled in the Jacobethan style during the 19th century by architect Sir Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament in London. The castle's exterior features Bath Stone and reflects a mix of Elizabethan and Italian Renaissance styles. The interior contains rich decorations and Gothic elements, including a Great Hall with hammerbeam ceiling details. Highclere Castle has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1692 when it came into the possession of the Herbert family through marriage. The 5th Earl of Carnarvon famously sponsored the archaeological discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, and the castle houses an Egyptian exhibition as a result. Today, Highclere Castle is open to the public for tours, events, and special occasions, and it remains a private residence for the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Its fame from "Downton Abbey" has made it a popular historic and cultural site.
