Southampton to Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey): Day trip

If you’ve watched Downton Abbey, you already know this place. It’s all here, every staircase, hallway, and garden path.

You’ll start in the Saloon, the heart of the house, with its high ceiling and central staircase. From there, you’ll move through the familiar drawing rooms, the library, and the dining room. Everything looks just like it did on screen. But this isn’t a museum. The family still lives here, and it shows. Downstairs, the Egyptian Exhibition explains how the 5th Earl helped discover Tutankhamun’s tomb. Outside the gardens roll out across the countryside. You’ll spot the exact view used in the show’s opening credits. It feels quiet, grand, and surprisingly personal.

It’s not just the castle that feels like a film set. The nearby village and countryside are just as picture-perfect.

After the castle, your driver can take you through Highclere village. It’s small, with cottages that still belong to the estate and a proper English pub or two. If you’ve got time, stop for a drink at The Red House or a quick walk through the village lanes. The hills around here are classic countryside, all fields, trees, and sheep. Simple, quiet, and the kind of landscape that made Downton feel so grounded in place. The drive back gives you more of it, which honestly feels like a nice way to end the day.