Highclere Castle

Highclere Castle
Launus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Highclere Castle
Caption	Highclere Castle, Hampshire, England
Location	Hampshire, England
Architect	Charles Barry
Client	Earl of Carnarvon

Highclere Castle, located in Hampshire, England, is a country house that has been the residence of the Earl of Carnarvon since the 17th century. The castle is famous for its association with Howard Carter, the Egyptian Museum archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun with the help of George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Highclere Castle has also been featured in various films and television shows, including Downton Abbey, which was created by Julian Fellowes and produced by Carnival Films and ITV Studios. The castle's architecture and history are closely tied to the works of notable architects such as Charles Barry and Gilbert Scott, who designed buildings like the Houses of Parliament and St Pancras railway station.

● History

The history of Highclere Castle dates back to the 17th century, when it was built for the Earl of Pembroke by the architect William Talman. The castle was later acquired by the Earl of Carnarvon in the 18th century and has remained in the family ever since. During World War I, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital, where Almina Herbert, Countess of Carnarvon worked as a nurse, caring for soldiers from the British Army and the Red Cross. The castle has also been visited by notable figures such as Winston Churchill, who attended meetings of the British Cabinet and the Imperial War Cabinet during World War II. Other notable visitors include King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who have all been associated with the British Royal Family and the Order of the Garter.

● Architecture

The architecture of Highclere Castle is a mix of Tudor architecture and Victorian architecture, with a facade designed by Charles Barry in the 19th century. The castle's design is similar to that of other country houses in England, such as Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace, which were designed by architects like Lancelot Brown and Vanbrugh. The interior of the castle features a State Rooms and a Library, which contain books and manuscripts from the British Library and the Bodleian Library. The castle's architecture has been influenced by the works of notable architects such as Inigo Jones and Christopher Wren, who designed buildings like St Paul's Cathedral and the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

● Estate

The estate surrounding Highclere Castle covers over 1,000 acres of land, including woodlands, parkland, and a lake. The estate is home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, roe deer, and peregrine falcons, which are protected by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Wildlife Trusts. The estate also features a number of walking trails, including the Wayfarer's Walk and the Test Way, which offer scenic views of the surrounding countryside and the North Wessex Downs. The estate has been managed by the Earl of Carnarvon and the National Trust, which also manages other historic sites like Stonehenge and Avebury.

● Inhabitants

The inhabitants of Highclere Castle have included a number of notable figures, including George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who sponsored the Egyptian Museum expedition that discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Other notable inhabitants include Almina Herbert, Countess of Carnarvon, who worked as a nurse during World War I and was a member of the Red Cross and the Order of St John. The castle has also been home to a number of other members of the British aristocracy, including Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael of Kent, who have been associated with the British Royal Family and the Order of the British Empire.

● Popular_Culture

Highclere Castle has been featured in a number of films and television shows, including Downton Abbey, which was created by Julian Fellowes and produced by Carnival Films and ITV Studios. The castle has also been used as a filming location for other productions, including The Secret Garden and King Ralph, which were produced by Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox. The castle's association with Egyptian Museum and the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun has also made it a popular subject for documentaries, including The Curse of the Pharaohs and Tutankhamun: The Truth, which were produced by BBC Documentary and Channel 4.

● Tourism

Highclere Castle is open to the public and attracts thousands of visitors each year, including fans of Downton Abbey and those interested in the history of the British aristocracy. The castle offers guided tours of the State Rooms and the Library, as well as access to the surrounding estate and its walking trails. Visitors can also see exhibits on the history of the castle and the Earl of Carnarvon, including displays on the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun and the Egyptian Museum expedition. The castle has been recognized as a Grade I listed building by English Heritage and is also a member of the Historic Houses Association, which promotes the conservation and preservation of historic sites like Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace.

Category:Castles in England