My family and I will be in southern England the first week of August. I have already attempted (unsuccessfully) to order tickets to visit Highclere Castle during our stay. There is a special event that has been closed to the public during this time, but the dates of August 6-8 are still open but sold out. I have not made concrete accommodation plans for the last few days of our trip, due to the fact that I had my heart set on seeing Highclere Castle. I did not know that this place sells out so early. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I can gain entry into Highclere? I have emailed several hotels in the area, thinking that they may have an inside source, but am coming up empty there too. I really didn't want to spend 9 hours on a bus from London (as recommended in Rick Steves' book) to get in there... but if that is what it takes, I am open to suggestions. I checked ticketmaster and stubhub for UK, but they only handle special events, not basic venue tickets. Any ideas are welcomed and greatly appreciated! Thanks~
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7026 posts
You might check this most recent thread on Highclere, especially the last two posts:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/day-tour-to-downton-abbey
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
I'm the second poster on the thread listed above :). It looks like you have a window of a few days so if you want to risk it, it won't hurt to just show up. When we went they were turning people away and the lady in the ticket booth told me that they were sold out for the open days during the entire month of August.
If you do have the flexibility to show up on multiple days to see if you can get in, there are other things to do in the area if you don't get in on one day and want to wait and try again the next. Oxford is just 30 minutes or so north of Highclere. Stonehenge is to the south just a ways as well.
It can't hurt to try! Looks like a couple of other posters had luck so you might be able to make it work too! If you want to insure you get in then you may want to try some of the tour companies that go out of London. If you type in "Highclere Castle Tours from London" into Google, there are a number of companies that pop up. It's worth a look!
I would recommend renting a car...it will give you a lot more flexibility because you'll be able to see other things and you won't waste time with public transport. I can't imagine that a bus from London would take 9 hours though! It isn't that far away...90 minutes drive at most...if you drive for 9 hours going east/west anywhere in England you'll end up in the ocean...it isn't that big of a place.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
As I stated in the other post we were able to tour Highclere by just showing up. This was in early September (2013) and HC was due to close to visitors the next week. They were turning no one away. Saturday might be a day to avoid trying to visit as it is a popular place for weddings (visitors not allowed on the property then). The nearest town of any size is probably Newbury which is not far from London. Having a car would be the best idea--I hope you can tour HC--worth the effort for sure!
Posted by
Washington
919 posts
Check the websites of the day tour companies International Friends or Hidden Britain. IF also does tours of Downton filming locations like Yew Tree farm and Bampton (sp) village.
Good luck!
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
I am also a fan of Downton, and would love to visit Highclere. It is thrilling to visit a film locale or setting in a book. But if visiting Highclere was so difficult, I'd pick a different stately home. One that didn't take all day, and masses of money. I think if it's that important to you, then you should try to do it. But I'd be happy going to a different place. Good luck.