Visitor numbers soar at Highclere Castle

All group tours of the Victorian stately home for 2013 are already sold out, according to the following statement on the castle’s website:
“Due to unprecedented demand we are currently fully booked for all group visits in 2012 and 2013. We do apologise for any disappointment caused and hope that we will be able to accommodate you in the future.”
The new (third) series of ITV’s Downton Abbey - the first episode of which was broadcast on Sunday (September 16) - attracted an audience of 9m which has triggered a 78 per cent rise in interest in the castle - the family home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnavon, according to statistics by the online service for holidaymakers, TripAdvisor.
“Downton Abbey has a huge following, but clearly a weekly installment on TV isn’t enough, with some fans interested in visiting beautiful Highclere Castle where the show is set and all the on-screen acting happens”, said Emma Shaw, a spokeswoman for TripAdvisor.
Following the end of the summer season, the castle is currently closed, but opens its doors on (one day only) Thursday October 18, for private tours in aid of the charity, Young Epilepsy.
It re-opens for (two days only) on Saturday and Sunday December 1 and 2, for the start of the festive season and again for the annual, two-day Christmas Fair, on Wednesday and Thursday December 5 and 6 - the latter in aid of the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance.