Highclere Castle

The final season of Downton Abbey has begun. I have been a Downton fan from the beginning but I am not sad that it is ending. Although I love the show I think the characters are becoming more and more one dimensional and taking on either 'pro change' or 'against change' sides on all topics. I highly doubt that in the 1920's there was this much talk of 'change' in a normal house hold. Hindsight is 20/20, and I think the writing of the show reflects the knowledge we have looking back on that time period. Nevertheless, I was super excited to go and visit Highclere Castle. The castle and grounds were beautiful. It is so fun that they use the castle as is for the filming of Downton. No pictures were allowed inside so all the pictures are of the castle and grounds. 

The castle has had many additions, but the facade seen today was designed by Sir Charles Barry who more notably designed the Houses of Parliament. The grounds were simply stunning. Unlike most stately homes Highclere does not have formal English gardens. I personally like this as when you inside the castle there is a beautiful view of large trees, green hills, and wilderness. It feels much more like the country without the formal gardens. 

There is a wildflower meadow which was beautiful in the fall, but I am sure it is stunning in the spring and summer when all the flowers are in full bloom. 

Highclere is the residence of Earl on Countess of Carnarvon who live there with there family. As it is a home it is not always open for tours, but now that the filming of Downton is over it should be open more next summer as, like in Downton, estates like this require a lot of money to keep in shape. It can also be rented our for weddings, corporate gatherings, shooting parties, and the like.