Viking has announced its endorsement of a new contemporary events pavilion at Highclere Castle, the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and the filming location of Downton Abbey.
The purpose-built space, The Viking Pavilion at Highclere Castle, will replace the temporary pavilion on the castle’s southwest lawn. The fresh, new space will offer guests an elegant setting for future events.
Care has been taken to use design elements that complement Highclere’s existing, historic architecture while incorporating sustainable features. These include solar panels and a heat exchanger system.
The exciting outdoor event space was inspired by the legendary 18th-century landscapes of Lancelot “Capability” Brown. As such the grounds feature elegant curving pathways, graceful trees, soft planting beds and intimate seating areas which capture a harmonious transition between heritage and modernity.
Karine Hagen is Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product
Karine Hagen is Viking’s Executive Vice President of Product and she said “We have proudly partnered with Highclere Castle for more than a decade and are pleased to support this new project. Many of our guests were introduced to Highclere and Viking through Downton Abbey, and the castle will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
“Many of our guests have enjoyed Privileged Access to Highclere Castle, and this new pavilion will provide future visitors—including Viking travelers—a beautiful setting for enriching experiences at Highclere, while also helping to preserve this iconic landmark.”
Lady Carnarvon Collaborated on The Viking Pavilion at Highclere Castle
Lady Carnarvon added that “We are hugely grateful to Viking for this incredible collaboration, which enables us to create a truly special new space for our visitors and of course welcome many more Viking visitors.”
“This new building ensures Highclere can continue to share its history while securing the future of the castle for generations to come.”
The Viking Pavilion at Highclere Castle not only enhances the visitor experience at Highclere, it will ensure the continued conservation of the estate.
Viking guests will enjoy expanded opportunities to explore the castle’s rich history through Privileged Access experiences, including lectures and roundtable discussions hosted by Lady Carnarvon and other experts, inside the pavilion.
Viking & Highclere Castle
Viking’s corporate sponsorship of the celebrated series MASTERPIECE, which began in 2011, when Downton Abbey aired on PBS, helped establish Viking as a household name.
Today this sponsorship continues highlighting Viking’s ongoing commitment to enriching cultural programming. Since 2014, Viking has offered guests a variety of ways to experience Privileged Access at Highclere Castle, with pre and post land extensions that include the highly-rated Oxford & Highclere Castle and Great Homes, Gardens & Gin extensions which are available to guests on select Viking river and ocean voyages.
Additionally, the British Collections of Ancient Egypt land extension is available for guests on the popular Nile River itinerary, Pharaohs & Pyramids.
At Home at Highclere
Lady Carnarvon has also welcomed viewers to Highclere Castle on Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, Viking.TV. In her series, At Home at Highclere, she offers virtual Privileged Access to the historic home and its grounds.
Viking’s partnership and friendship with the Carnarvon family has also extended to its fleet—Lady Carnarvon is the ceremonial godmother of a Viking Longship, the Viking Skadi and an ocean ship, the Viking Mars®.
And, in 2022, Lord Carnarvon became Viking’s first godfather, fulfilling the role for the Viking Osiris, while in 2024, their son, the Honorable Edward Herbert, became the godfather of the Viking Hathor. More information about Viking’s longstanding partnership with Highclere Castle can be found on the dedicated webpage, www.viking.com/highclere.
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