Hello! I will be visiting family in the Newcastle upon Tyne area in August. I have a few days at the end of my trip to spend in London. I really want to see Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), but don't want to "waste" one of those few days visiting Highclere from London. I am looking to take a 2-3 day coach tour, with family, from the Newcastle upon Tyne area to Highclere. Do you know of any such coach tours? I've been searching online, finding most of the tours originating from the southern part of the country and not from the northeast. I'd appreciate any help/suggestions!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
Newcastle upon Tyne is 345 miles north of Highclere which is west of London and is just under 3 hours by train. Perhaps a train tour would work for you. "Britain from the Rails, a Window Gazer's Guide" by Benedict Le Vay is an entertaining train traveler book. Library #:914.1048. ISBN: 987 1 84162 919 3.
Posted by
3124 posts
I don' t quite see your reasoning in not wanting to "waste" a day from London, but being willing to spend 2-3 days going from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Highclere (which is in Newbury) and back. Or did you mean you're seeking a coach tour that would take you from London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and also to Highclere Castle on the same tour?
Trains from London Paddington to Newbury are very frequent and the trip takes about 1.5 hours; less if you get a direct express. From the Newbury station you'd take a taxi to the castle, and you can call or text the taxi to pick you up for the return to the station.
In any case, be sure to check the dates and times when Highclere Castle is open to the public, as it is only open a few days in some months, and those days book up many months in advance.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
I will be with family from Newcastle who will join me on the coach tour to Highclere Castle. I will be in London without them prior to heading back to the states. I don't mind spending 3 days of vacation on a coach tour with them. It gives you a chance to view the country out of the window and see different sights. I only have 3 days in London, and with so much to see and do there I'd rather not use one of those days to go to Newbury and see Highclere. I may have found a coach tour through David Palmer coaches, also known as Glenton Palmer. Does anyone know anything about that company?
Thanks so much for your thoughts and info!
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
First, you might want to wait until Highclere Castle posts their opening days for August to see if they will be open when you are there. Highclere isn't open everyday like other stately homes. I would suggest checking Highclere website for the posting, tickets go fast.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5467 posts
If no one can come up with anything your relatives might be able to find out easier locally to them - these kind of coach holidays are most economical when done by a local firm which may have a limited web presence because they don't really need one as they sell in a small area.
Posted by
Mission Viejo, Calif., USA
1010 posts
We had a private pre-arranged driver take us to Highclere Castle, in August. We had communicated with Highclere and our driver knew that we could tour on our own. Our driver parked on the grounds. We had a very short walk to the front door. Our driver suggested we spend two hours to see the castle. It was wonderful. We wished we could have spent more times wondering around the beautiful grounds though. We just had probably 30 people going through when we did. On another day, while visiting the Cotswolds, our driver took us to Brampton, where they filmed all the street, church, hospital, etc. scenes. We even talked to a local villager. It was thrilling to see where all the street and village scenes were filmed. Now we are watching the whole series again and thinking about walking down the grand staircase too.
Posted by
2599 posts
Here are 2 castles that are an easy day trip from Newcastle:>https://www.alnwickcastle.com
http://www.bamburghcastle.com
Had it not been for the Downton Abbey Tv series, you would never have heard of Highclere Castle.
I take it that you know that Edinburgh is an easy day trip by train from Newcastle. (It takes 1 hour 30 minutes and advance fares pre-booked can be had for around £13 each way on specific trains. If you just show top at Newcastle station on the day, it will cost at least twice that). You may wish to tell your relatives to go and purchase Advance tickets on your behalf from Newcastle station?
www.nationalrail.co.uk
http://edinburgh.org
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thanks for all of your responses and great ideas. I have booked a 3 day/2 night coach tour through Glenton Palmer, picking us up in Newcastle. We visit Highclere Castle, Oxford and the Cotswolds. Admission tickets are included in the cost of the trip.
My last visit to the area, 5 years ago, I went with relatives to Alnwick Castle and as a child visited Bamburgh Castle, which I hope to see again this visit.
You're right, the sole reason for visiting Highclere Castle is due to Downton Abbey!