Highclere Castle was once the home of the 5th Earl of Carnavon, famous for his excavations in the Valley of the Kings with Howard Carter in 1922. Many Egyptian artefacts are housed in a permanent exhibition in the basement; however the interiors and furnishings of Highclere Castle reflect the influence of successive generations of the family since the early 18th century.
This, the largest country house in Hampshire, is a really grandiose affair, with turrets at the angles and a huge pinnacled tower in the centre. It is not by chance that the facade of the completed structure, with its pinnacles and carvings, is reminiscent of the Houses of Parliament. The architect, Sir Charles Barry, built both properties simultaneously using his unique Anglo-Italian style. Of the two buildings, he much preferred Highclere Castle.
