“What is a weekend?” Downton Abbey fans will recognize the quote and this image of Highclere Castle, the English manor house used as the location for the popular TV series.

Highclere is one of our favorite excursions from London for architecture, interiors and gardens. The structure you see today was designed by Charles Barry, the main architect of the Houses of Parliament in London, and the gardens were conceived by Capability Brown.

The castle also has a collection of Egyptian antiquities from the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who lived at Highclere and funded Howard Carter, the archaeologist who discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can incorporate a tour of Highclere Castle into any of our private England tours. Contact one of our UK travel experts for more information.