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- Highclere Castle & Oxford tour from London
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Highclere Castle & Oxford tour from London
You have watched the series and seen the movie: now relive every scene of the worldwide hit ‘Downton Abbey’ at Highclere Castle – the stunning home of Lord and Lady Carnarvon, set in 1,000 acres of beautiful countryside. Then discover the historic city of Oxford with an expert guide: world-famous for its university it is the perfect photo location with incredible architecture including Radcliffe Camera, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Ashmolean Museum and many more.
- MEETING POINT
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Evan Evans Office - 258 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, Westminster, London SW1V 1BS, UK,
- Highclere Castle
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Highclere Castle has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679 and is set amidst 1,000 acres of spectacular parkland, in the Hampshire countryside. The original house dates back to the Domesday Book while the present-day Castle was designed in 1842 by Sir Charles Barry – the same architect who designed the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The gardens were designed for the 1st Earl of Carnarvon by the famous 18th century landscape gardener "Capability" Brown.
The Castle’s history also includes a fascinating connection with ancient Egypt, as the 5th Earl, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in 1922.
In more recent history, Highclere Castle has become the location of ‘Downton Abbey’ – the hugely successful drama series with over 11 million viewers in the UK and now shown in over 100 countries across the world.
The tour begins with the main State Rooms before going upstairs to the Galleried bedrooms.
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 "Downton 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.
- The Egyptian Exhibition at Highclere Castle
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In November 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter stood outside a sealed door in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt and went on to discover the tomb of Tutankhamun. It was the first global media event and has given a legacy of understanding knowledge and insight into a remarkable civilisation.
A highlight of the tour, The Egyptian Exhibition explores the path to the discovery of this most famous of tombs. The six rooms of the exhibition catalogue the Earl’s fascination with Egypt, his early excavations from 1906 onwards, his relationship with his friend Howard Carter and the discovery and contents of the tomb, including a magnificent reproduction of the sarcophagus. It begins with part of the Earl’s own collection of antiquities.
- Relive ‘Downton Abbey’ at Highclere Castle
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It has been over four years since Downton Abbey’s final television episode aired, capturing over 180 million of us, but while it left our screens, it has never left the hearts of its fans across the world.
2019 saw the premier of Downton Abbey: The Movie in which the beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepared for the most important moment of their lives - a royal visit from the king and queen of England which left the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
You have watched the series and seen the movie – now relive every scene during your visit to Highclere Castle: glide down the grand oak staircase like Lady Mary did on her wedding day, sit at Jackdaws Castle where Lady Edith so often found herself and take in the state dining room where many of the Dowager Countess' wonderfully acerbic lines were delivered by Dame Maggie Smith.
- The City of Oxford
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We continue our day with a visit to 'The City of Dreaming Spires', perhaps best known for its world-famous university and incredible architecture.
The origins of Oxford University can be traced back to the 11th century, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
Throughout the city, elegant stone spires and domes rise up into the city skyline from medieval stone buildings. Little surprise, then, that this beautiful city has provided the backdrop for countless movie and TV series, including Harry Potter and Inspector Morse.
Enjoy a walking tour of the city with your expert guide, who will bring the history and charm of this beautiful city to life. As you walk through the cobbled streets, you'll see architecture from every period in English history, from early Saxon right through to the Gothic Revival.
This is the only place in the country where you'll find buildings from every period in English history, which is what makes Oxford so unique. Highlights include Radcliffe Camera – the breath-taking exterior of the Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum and the Sheldonian Theatre. You will also see the entrance to Christchurch College, linked with the Harry Potter films.
- END POINT
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London Victoria Train Station
Your tour will finish outside London Victoria Train Station, centrally located and easily accessible by national rail and underground.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Tour Starts: 9:00 am, Evan Evans Office 258 Vauxhall Bridge Road (boarding commences at 8:45 am)
- Tour Finishes: approx. 7:00 pm, Victoria Train Station
- Disclaimer: This Tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Downton Abbey' produced by Carnival Film and Television and NBCUniversal International Limited. Evan Evans Tours Limited and this tour do not have any association with, connection to, sponsorship by or endorsement of, the television series 'Downton Abbey', Carnival Film and Television or NBCUniversal International Limited
- This tour does not include entry to the Colleges of Oxford University
Highlights
- Visit stunning Highclere Castle, home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon
- See unique antiquities relating to Tutankhamun in The Egyptian Exhibition
- Relive scenes from ‘Downton Abbey’ at Highclere Castle
- Marvel at Radcliffe Camera – the stunning exterior of the Bodleian library in Oxford
- Enjoy a walking tour past the historic colleges of Oxford University
What's Included
Entry to Highclere Castle
Walking Tour of Oxford
Expert Guide
Superior Coach
Personal Audio Headset
Wi-Fi & USB Charging On-board
What's Excluded
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Lunch
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
- No Cancellation Fees
- No Change Fees
- No Booking Fees
- Your Money is Protected - Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
For full terms see Our Flexible Promise to You
COMMITTED TO YOUR WELL-BEING
We have implemented the following COVID 19 – Hygiene & Physical Distancing Measures for your well-being.
- Physical distancing measures are in place during check-in, boarding and to disembark our vehicles
- Vehicles are fully sanitised before the start of each tour. All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected daily
- Hand sanitiser, antiviral sprays and wipes are available on board to use throughout the day
- The maximum capacity of our vehicles will be limited, and seating is planned so that empty seats are left next to single travellers and odd numbered groups
- Guests are encouraged to bring their own face coverings as these must be worn throughout the tour. A supply of spare disposable masks will also be made available at check-in
- Guests are provided with personal audio headsets so distancing can be maintained when listening to commentary
- We encourage guests with e-tickets to bring these on their smart devices, and we recommend contactless payments only
- All tour inclusions have been vetted to ensure they adhere to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines
- Our team, including our guides and drivers have been newly trained in our enhanced hygiene and physical distancing procedures
Please refer to our Travel Health page for more information