Highclere Castle
Our visit to Downtown Abbey aka Highclere Castle Highclere Castle Seven generations of the 1st Earl of Carnarvon have lived at Highclere since 1793 when King Charles I rewarded Henry Herbert with the earldom in recognition of his support in quelling a civil rebellion. Lancelot ‘Capabilities’ Brown The pastoral grounds highlighting the undulating natural scenery were designed by the famed landscaper Lancelot Brown , nicknamed "Capabilities Brown" because of his fondness for saying that a place had “capabilities.” Old structure clad with a facade to give it new look from 3 sides The original structure modestly named Highclere Place House was built in 1679 by the politician and future attorney general Sir Robert Sawyer , an ancestor of the Earl of Carnarvon, and stands on the foundation of a palace owned by Bishop William of Wykeham built in 749 AD. Winged Wyverns (a legendary winged serpent-like creature with two legs) stand guard at the entrances. " Ung je Serviray