Highclere Castle private tours to boost charity funds

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Tours of the Victorian castle, the family home of the eighth Earl of Carnarvon and the Countess of Carnarvon, are in support of two charities, St Michael and All Angels Church, Highclere, and Combat Stress – a UK military charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental ill health, who have supported almost 100,000 veterans since being founded in 1919.
A spokeswoman for Lady Carnarvon, Candice Bauval, said: “At the moment, Combat Stress is working with over 4,800 veterans, more than at any time in their long history. This includes 589 who served in Iraq and 228 who have served in Afghanistan. The youngest veteran is just 19 years old.
“Demand for their services is rising: 1,443 veterans contacted them for help in the financial year 2010 to 2011.”
Today's itinerary starts at 9.30am with a welcome in the heart of the castle – the Saloon, with its 75ft-high glazed ceiling, open fireplace and Gothic-style minstrel gallery, for Bucks Fizz and morning refreshments.
Small groups of guided tours of the castle’s state rooms and bedrooms will be followed by an informal talk in the library with Lady Carnarvon and her guest Professor Simon Wessely.
Prof Wessely, is a director at the King’s Centre for Military Health Research and a trustee at Combat Stress, will provide an analysis of medicine and psychiatry from the First World War to the present day.
Lady Carnarvon will give an insight into life at the castle during the First World War, when it became a hospital for wounded soldiers, cared for and nursed by the fifth Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Almina.
On departure at 1pm, visitors will receive a complimentary signed copy of Lady Carnarvon’s book Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey.
Tickets, which are limited, cost £100 per person. To book telephone (01635) 250 444, or visit www.highclerecastle.co.uk