Does anyone have a rough idea for when tickets for the spring opening of Highclere castle typically go on sale? I'll be heading back to London in late April/early May, and it seems based on historical trends that I might get lucky and be there when Highclere is open. My mom and I are big Downton Abbey fans so I'd love to snag tickets for us if the stars align!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23822 posts
You might consider a tour. About five years we took a tour. Took most of the day. The bus picked us up on the west side of London at a tube stop. Went first to the castle with a very informative tour of the facility, had some free time to wonder, and, I think we had lunch but that is not strong memory. Re-boarded the bus for about an hour drive to a little village where all of the village scenes, the church, the library, doctor's office, etc. and other site locations are shot. That was super interesting. In Downton Abbey those scenes are next door --- but they are not. Finally returned to London later afternoon. A great experience.
Posted by
1453 posts
It is not overrated nor does it disappoint!!! Are you trying to get tickets for the May bank holiday in early May? Spring opening is the 2 weeks at Easter. Hope you get tickets when they go on sale!
Posted by
Huntington Beach CA
1201 posts
We visited last year and it was definitely a highlight. We had lunch there before the tour started. My friend recognized Lady Carnarvon walk by us just to sit down to have lunch at the table next to us! I looked at the website and it looks like tickets are not on sale for spring 2026 yet. Why don’t you shoot them an email to ask?
Posted by
7 posts
We're doing RS tour next May/June. We're coming in early to stay in Newbury area 1 or 2 nights early to, hopefully, see Highclere before starting the tour in Bath. I emailed Highclere at the end of April as we were trying to decide on RS tour that starts on May 17th or May 24th, both Sundays. I asked them specifically about both Saturday & Sunday of both weekends.
This was their reply: "We are likely to offer tours on Friday 15th May (not 16 or 17). On the 16th May, Saturday, we will offer a guided tour and talk ticket option. There will be general admission tickets on Sunday 24th May. The grounds/castle are not open on any other of your days. Tickets (for 2026) go up for sale in September."
It appears the "tour and talk option" on the 16th, although I'm sure is worth it, is rather expensive and we may not have all day, so we opted to take RS tour that starts on Sunday, 24 May. Our plan, with fingers crossed, is to arrive into Newbury Friday or Saturday, see Highclere with general admission (appears to be self-tour option, less expensive) at the earliest ticket time on Sunday the 24th before heading to Bath later in the day.
Tickets, as they mentioned, go for sale in September this year.
We're big Downton Abbey fans as well! Best of luck to you!
Posted by
Louisiana, USA
409 posts
I don't know when tickets go on sale, but I highly recommend doing a tour. There are tours that will take you to Highclere and Yew Tree Farm and the village where you can see Isobel's house and the church. I've done this tour twice and loved it.
Posted by
Land of La
9751 posts
Given that Downton Abbey The Grand Finale film premieres worldwide this September tickets will undoubtedly be in hot demand.
Remember the time difference, set an alarm and keep watching the Highclere website for a release date.
Good Luck