Everything you need to know about Highclere Castle History Festival with Viking

Is there a theme for 2024’s Highclere Castle History Festival?

Yes, we will explore life between 1939 and 1945 and commemorate World War Two and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

What can visitors expect from the festival this year?

There will be a variety of speakers, Second World War reenactments on the lawn, vintage car displays and games such as croquet and badminton.

There will also be an opportunity to listen to 1940s-themed singers and learn how to swing dance.

Will the castle be open to visitors?

Yes, guests can tour the castle at their leisure. Our Egyptian exhibition will be open too; it tells the story of the fifth Earl of Carnarvon’s excavations on the West Bank of Luxor from 1905, and the extraordinary discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 by the fifth Earl and Howard Carter.

A shrine room displays astonishingly exact and beautiful replicas of the shrine, middle coffin, mummy and iconic death mask of the boy pharaoh.

Can you share more on the Highclere Castle Book Readers’ Awards?

We’re pleased to have Viking’s support for the awards this year. The Highclere Castle Book Readers’ Awards invite readers to review a memorable or inspiring book of their choice from one of five categories: travel, biographies, history, novels and children’s books.

We’re looking forward to reading through all the entries and then celebrating with the winner at the festival’s finale evening on 6 October. The winner of each category will be presented with £500, while five runners up will each take home £100.

The Highclere Castle History Festival sponsored by Viking will take place on 5 and 6 October. To buy tickets, please visit highclerecastleshop.co.uk