A FAMOUS castle near Basingstoke is set to host a two-day Egyptian-themed history festival to tie in with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

The weekend event on October 7 and 8 at Highclere Castle will include tours of the Egyptian exhibition, pop-up talks, a vintage car display, a look-a-like Winston Churchill and camels on view in front of the castle.

The castle, best known as the filming location for the popular Downton Abbey television series and films, is linked to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

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The fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who inherited the title and estate in 1890, went on to fund archaeologist Howard Carter’s excavations in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the tomb, the current Lord and Lady Carnarvon will host the history festival for visitors.

It will include pictures of Geoffry de Havailand’s first flight from Highclere in 1910, along with talks hosted by The Countess of Carnarvon on Egyptology and another by renowned Egyptologist Joann Fletcher, who is an honorary visiting professor in the department of archaeology at the University of York.

There will also be living history re-enactors, a vintage car display, costume displays and 1920s dance lessons, taught by Gatsby Girls.

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Children’s activities will include storytelling and lawn games.

A range of ticket options are available, including self-guided tours of the castle and Egyptian exhibition and tickets solely for the outdoor event.

There are also VIP tickets available which include early access at 9am, a welcome by Lord and Lady Carnarvon, a guided tour and specialist talk in the vintage marquee.

Further ticket information can be found at highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/highclere-festival-weekend-2023.