Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.   Do I need a pre-booked ticket to visit Highclere Castle? 

A. Pre-booking your tickets is the only way to guarantee entry to the Castle during Public Opening. We will have tickets available at Visitor Reception on each day of Public Opening. However, in extreme cases due to the number of people on site, we may have to stop selling walk up tickets and as such we cannot guarantee entry for those without pre-booked tickets. For special events, tickets must be bought in advance. Tours are available outside the public opening times but are for limited numbers of guests and pre-book only.  Please do email the Castle Office ([email protected]) for these additional dates.

Q.   I can’t proceed to checkout and pay for my order. How can I solve this?

A. Have you registered for an online account with us? Before you are able to complete your purchase you will need to register your details with our site. To do this, please click on the tab labelled ‘Register’ in the top right hand corner and then follow the directions.

Q.   Is your address entered in the correct format?

A. Please note that:

All categories marked by an * are compulsory fields which must be completed.
US states should be entered in a two letter format in capital letters e.g. CA.
British post codes should be written in capital letters and with the appropriate space.
No special characters should be included in your address e.g.  - , #.
The name and address you enter must match up with the details on the card you wish to use for payment and those which are registered with your bank, please pay particular attention to upper and lower case letters.
Have you ticked/checked the box to agree to our online terms and conditions?
After registering/logging-in you will select your tickets and place them in your cart, you can then click proceed to checkout. At the bottom of this page before you submit your order you will see a link to read our terms and conditions and a small box to tick/check to confirm that you have done this. This must be completed before you can finalise your order.

Q.   Are my tickets posted to me?

A. Tickets are not posted. They are sent via email to the email address which you entered when you registered with us. You should receive these immediately as an attachment to your order confirmation email.

Q.   How do I access my tickets?

A. If you cannot access your tickets via the email confirmation that you should have received, then please try the following: please go back onto our ticket purchasing website and login using the details you registered with us. From here you will see the option to click on to ‘[Your name] Account’ and then select ‘Order History’. Here you should see a 'Details' link highlighted in red . Please click this link and follow the on-screen instructions to print your tickets.

Q.   I can’t print my email attached tickets. What can I do?

A. Does your email attachment containing your ticket not open?

If you cannot access your ticket due to a corrupt file then please see answer above regarding printing your ticket from your order history.

Q.   Do you not have access to a printer?

A. It is important that you arrive at Highclere Castle on the day of your visit with your printed, barcoded, tickets. If you do not have access to a printer then please ask a friend or neighbour to kindly help you. Alternatively, many local libraries or internet cafes offer printing facilities. You can access your tickets from any computer with an internet connection by following the steps laid out.

Q.   How do members of the HHA book their tickets?

A. Highclere Castle is pleased to be associated with the HHA and welcomes HHA members into the Castle free of charge during the public opening days (Easter and Summer). HHA members do not need to pre-book their tickets. However, whilst we do our best to accommodate all visitors we cannot guarantee HHA members admission. We strongly advise that to avoid queuing HHA members arrive after 3:00pm Monday - Thursday. Members of the HHA who wish to visit the Egyptian Exhibition, can do so for £7 from Visitor Reception at the Castle Main Gate. Please ensure to bring your HHA membership card with you when you visit.

Q.   I am a disabled visitor; does my carer have to pay for their ticket? (subject to event, please check with the Castle office)

A. A necessary carer of a registered, paying, disabled visitor is entitled to complimentary admission to Highclere Castle, Gardens, and Egyptian Exhibition. Therefore, a disabled visitor should select a ‘Disabled’ ticket at the concession price. Then, if you require a 'Carer' ticket for the carer who will accompany this disabled visitor, please click the 'Carer' ticket option which is now displayed on-screen to obtain, at no cost, an entrance ticket for this carer, who will need to present both Disabled and Carer tickets at the Castle Main Gate.

Q.   I have purchased tickets for AM admission to the Castle.
        Do I have to leave at 1pm? (This applies to our Public Open days only (Spring/Summer)

A. With an AM admission ticket you are able to arrive on site between 10:30am and 1pm. Within this period you can enter the Castle and Egyptian Exhibition (if you have chosen to do so). You may stay and enjoy the Grounds, Gardens, Tearooms and Gift Shop throughout the day but you will not be able to view inside the Castle after 1pm.

Q.   I have purchased tickets for PM admission to the Castle.
       Am I able to arrive before 1pm? (This applies to our Public Open days only (Spring/Summer)

A. With a PM admission ticket you may arrive on site at any time after 10:30am. You may enjoy the Grounds, Gardens, Tearoom, and Gift Shop throughout the day but will only be granted entry into the Castle and Egyptian Exhibition (if you have chosen to do so) after 1pm and before 3:30pm.

Q.   I have purchased tickets for a Special tour or reception outside the public opening  dates. When may I arrive and when do the grounds close? 

A.  Each of the guided tours or evening receptions gives you the information on the ticket page before you select the date on the calendar and buy the tickets. It also suggests, when to  arrive and when the grounds or gardens are open. If it is a guided tour , please do try to enter on time so you do not miss anything! If you cannot find the page with information or are unsure, please do email the Castle Office ([email protected])  and we would be delighetd to help you.