Highclere Castle Literary Festival
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2026
Escape to Highclere Castle for a weekend of Talks and Tours to inspire story lovers.
“Give me a good book, or a good newspaper, and sit me down afore a good fire, and I ask no better”
Charles Dickens “The Pickwick Papers”
In 2026, the National Year of Reading, join them to celebrate the joy of storytelling at Highclere Castle, the home of one of everyone’s favourite stories – Downton Abbey.
Highclere Castle’s first ever Literary Festival is the perfect day out for families featuring talks from much-loved authors, captivating performances, inspiring workshops and a chance to talk about your favourite books.
They have different ticket types to suit all of their visitors.
• Tales from the Castle: A Celebration of Reading, Writing and Story Telling (Morning Talks & Guided Tours)
• Literary Festival Main Event: (Castle General Admission Entry & Event Only Ticket Options)
• Scones and Stories: Champagne Afternoon Tea with Event Access, Castle Tour, Egyptian Exhibition & Gardens
Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle has been transformed from its roots in Anglo Saxon Times to a medieval palace, a Tudor place house, a Georgian house and today this iconic Victorian Castle.
It sits within a park designed by Capability Brown in the eighteenth century.
During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon.
Then, in the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to children evacuated from London.
There are between 250 and 300 rooms in the Castle Saloon and during your tour you will explore the main state rooms so familiar from “Downtown Abbey”.
You will see some of the bedrooms after which you will follow the stairs down to the cellars and old staff quarters where you will find the Egyptian Exhibition, celebrating the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
