Journey to Highclere Castle—
the filming location of Downton Abbey—
with Viking
Viking celebrates our longstanding partnership with Highclere Castle, the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the filming location of Downton Abbey, the period television drama and feature film series. Since 2014, through our close relationship with the Carnarvon family, we have proudly offered a glimpse into life at Highclere Castle where only Viking guests can enjoy Privileged Access® experiences at the Victorian Gothic-style estate.
Explore Britain & beyond in Viking comfort
We are proud to offer an array of itineraries that include opportunities to discover the UK and Ireland’s rugged landscapes, rich culture and fascinating history. With the release of Focus Features’ new film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, it is an ideal time to plan a journey with Viking that explores the British Isles. Experience the ease of unpacking once on one of our small, elegant ships, and let us take care of the rest as you travel in Viking comfort. You can enjoy additional time to explore Downton Abbey’s filming location—Highclere Castle in Hampshire—when you add an extension package to one of the following itineraries.
British Isles Explorer
Into the Midnight Sun
British Isles & Ireland
In Search of Northern Lights
Iberia, France & England Explorer
Paris & the Heart of Normandy
France's Finest
Pharaohs & Pyramids
Did you know?
Viking’s longstanding partnership with Highclere Castle and the Downton Abbey franchise spans more than a decade.
Pre & post cruise extensions
Enjoy additional days before or after your itinerary to discover cosmopolitan London, historic Oxford, the tranquil Cotswolds or charming Hampshire—home of Highclere Castle. With pre and post cruise extension packages ranging from three to five nights, we hope you find something that inspires you to explore closer to home.
Videos
Enjoy watching selections from our Destination Insights library and Viking.TV, our award-winning enrichment channel.
Destination Insights
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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Gwyn, “The Butterfly Lady” (14:13)
Join Karine to meet one of the longest serving residents on the Highclere Castle estate. And join them on a journey of joy and firsts, taking delight in the smaller things in life.
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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Mike the Beekeeper (02:48)
Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.
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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Pat the Painter (02:04)
Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.
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At Home at Highclere (03:01)
Join Karine as she speaks with the Countess of Carnarvon about her new book, At Home at Highclere. Learn about what it is like to live in this stately castle, and its history, delicious food and dedicated staff.
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Explore Britain’s Great Homes, Gardens and Gin (04:22)
Step inside the iconic British estates well known to PBS viewers, including Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey”; Wolf Hall’s Broughton Castle; and Chavenage House, better known as Trenwith in Poldark. Beyond these impressive homes, learn the story behind the legendary Bombay Sapphire gin at its historic distillery.
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Visit Oxford & Highclere Castle (04:35)
Travel with Viking to the hallowed halls of the University of Oxford, historic Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey,” grand Blenheim Palace and the fabled villages of the Cotswolds.
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Highclere Behind the Scenes: Gwyn, “The Butterfly Lady” (14:13)
Join Karine to meet one of the longest serving residents on the Highclere Castle estate. And join them on a journey of joy and firsts, taking delight in the smaller things in life.
-
Highclere Behind the Scenes: Mike the Beekeeper (02:48)
Join Karine and Finse as they explore the world of bees with Mike Withers, a thirty-year member of the Highclere staff, whose passion for these hard-working, misunderstood insects spans 60 years.
-
Highclere Behind the Scenes: Pat the Painter (02:04)
Meet Pat Withers, one of the castle’s favorite, most colorful characters, who came to Highclere as a teenager and never left. As the longest serving staff member at Highclere, she’s worked for three generations of the Carnarvon family.
-
At Home at Highclere (03:01)
Join Karine as she speaks with the Countess of Carnarvon about her new book, At Home at Highclere. Learn about what it is like to live in this stately castle, and its history, delicious food and dedicated staff.
-
Explore Britain’s Great Homes, Gardens and Gin (04:22)
Step inside the iconic British estates well known to PBS viewers, including Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey”; Wolf Hall’s Broughton Castle; and Chavenage House, better known as Trenwith in Poldark. Beyond these impressive homes, learn the story behind the legendary Bombay Sapphire gin at its historic distillery.
-
Visit Oxford & Highclere Castle (04:35)
Travel with Viking to the hallowed halls of the University of Oxford, historic Highclere Castle, the “real Downton Abbey,” grand Blenheim Palace and the fabled villages of the Cotswolds.
Viking.TV
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At Home at Highclere: Lady Carnarvon and Karine Hagen on friendship and heritage (8:51)
Join Lady Fiona Carnarvon and Viking’s Karine Hagen as they share the story of their friendship and the enduring partnership that brings Viking guests Privileged Access to Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of Downton Abbey. From heritage and history to their shared love of Labradors, this candid conversation filmed at Highclere celebrates authentic connection and cultural discovery.
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Anne Diamond discusses Downton Abbey and life on stage and screen with Hugh Bonneville (30:52)
Join Anne Diamond OBE as she talks with Hugh Bonneville about his career, from Downton Abbey to Hollywood, sharing insights from his memoir Playing Under the Piano and reflections on life as one of Britain’s most beloved actors.
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Anne Diamond interviews actress Lesley Nicol (1:10:25)
Anne Diamond interviews award-winning actress Lesley Nicol, who is best known as Downton Abbey’s beloved cook, Mrs. Patmore. Learn more about Lesley’s acting career, her charitable work and, of course, her experiences on Downton Abbey.
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At Home at Highclere: Lady Carnarvon and Karine Hagen on friendship and heritage (8:51)
Join Lady Fiona Carnarvon and Viking’s Karine Hagen as they share the story of their friendship and the enduring partnership that brings Viking guests Privileged Access to Highclere Castle, the real-life setting of Downton Abbey. From heritage and history to their shared love of Labradors, this candid conversation filmed at Highclere celebrates authentic connection and cultural discovery.
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Anne Diamond discusses Downton Abbey and life on stage and screen with Hugh Bonneville (30:52)
Join Anne Diamond OBE as she talks with Hugh Bonneville about his career, from Downton Abbey to Hollywood, sharing insights from his memoir Playing Under the Piano and reflections on life as one of Britain’s most beloved actors.
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Anne Diamond interviews actress Lesley Nicol (1:10:25)
Anne Diamond interviews award-winning actress Lesley Nicol, who is best known as Downton Abbey’s beloved cook, Mrs. Patmore. Learn more about Lesley’s acting career, her charitable work and, of course, her experiences on Downton Abbey.
British recipes
Find inspiration to recreate the flavors of traditional British dishes at home.
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a favorite dish of our Executive Vice President of Product, Karine Hagen, who says this hearty dish always brings back fond memories of her childhood in England. As the name suggests, traditional shepherd’s pie is made with minced or leftover roast lamb. If made with beef, it becomes known as cottage pie. Both versions are delicious and well worth trying on a British Isles voyage with us.
View Recipe
Scones
This scone recipe comes from our Viking chefs, who bake batches of these on board our ocean ships for tea in the Wintergarden, and it is one of our longtime favorites. These are biscuit-like, with a gently crisped exterior and just a touch of sweetness—perfect with clotted cream and jam.
View Recipe
White Lady
This refreshing gin cocktail with bright citrus notes was originally created by legendary bartender Harry MacElhone in 1919. This version was perfected by Highclere Castle’s charming butler and barman, Luis Coelho, using the estate’s namesake spirit—super-premium, award-winning Highclere Castle Gin.
View Recipe-
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a favorite dish of our Executive Vice President of Product, Karine Hagen, who says this hearty dish always brings back fond memories of her childhood in England. As the name suggests, traditional shepherd’s pie is made with minced or leftover roast lamb. If made with beef, it becomes known as cottage pie. Both versions are delicious and well worth trying on a British Isles voyage with us.
View Recipe -
Scones
This scone recipe comes from our Viking chefs, who bake batches of these on board our ocean ships for tea in the Wintergarden, and it is one of our longtime favorites. These are biscuit-like, with a gently crisped exterior and just a touch of sweetness—perfect with clotted cream and jam.
View Recipe -
White Lady
This refreshing gin cocktail with bright citrus notes was originally created by legendary bartender Harry MacElhone in 1919. This version was perfected by Highclere Castle’s charming butler and barman, Luis Coelho, using the estate’s namesake spirit—super-premium, award-winning Highclere Castle Gin.
View Recipe
