Hello, my family is flying in to Gatwick at 7a.m., but our first destination is Bath. Instead heading straight over to Bath we’d like to see Highclere Castle (and maybe a few other sites on the way). We don’t want to rent a car, and it appears as though the train station near Highclere doesn’t have storage for our luggage, so I’m thinking perhaps we can find a custom tour guide to pick us up and show us around (and keep our luggage in the car as we tour the castle.), then end at Bath. Do you have any suggestions for a tour guide or how to find one? (Or another suggestion for how to do this.) many thanks!
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
First off, have you checked that Highclere Castle is open on that day & that tickets are available? It’s a private home with very limited opening times, and as it sits on a large private estate you can’t really see the house at all if it’s not open to the public that day.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
I hope you have some luck finding a driver but it's going to be expensive.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2805 posts
I would suggest finding a hotel or B&B close to Highclere Castle and spend your first night there. You didn’t say when your trip is, but like the post above said the castle isn’t open everyday like a lot of other places. If you know your dates I would go to the Highclere website to see if they are open the day you want, and if there are any tickets available, before deciding on any other plans.
Posted by
2599 posts
In the event that you wish to travel to the nearest rail station to Highclere = Newbury - which is a 2 hour train journey with 1 change - at Reading. If you wish to travel from Gatwick (GTW) to Bath (BTH) - it is 2 hours 30 minutes by train - again with 1 change at Reading. (Going via London involves much more hassle - so avoid that). www.nationalrail.co.uk
PS> Check out the same trips for 11 weeks ahead for lower prices for specific trains.