Castle Howard is a baroque house set in 1,000 acres of parkland 15 miles north of York, just off the A64. It is still a private residence, and the Howard family has lived there for more than 300 years. Visitors come for the Great Hall, the state rooms, the chapel and the gardens around a large lake. The house is also the filming location for Brideshead Revisited. Allow at least half a day, and leave time for the lake and the walled garden.
A house built over a century
Construction of Castle Howard began in 1699, and the house took more than 100 years to complete. Its central feature is a dome, which was the first of its kind to decorate a residential building in England.
The house is baroque in style, with two wings enclosing a courtyard. To the north, the ground falls away to a large lake. To the south, formal gardens share space with water features and several follies.
Despite the name, Castle Howard is a house rather than a castle. It stands on the site of a former castle, which is why it keeps the name. The Howard family has lived there for more than 300 years, and the house remains a private residence.
The house is widely known from screen work. It was the fictional Brideshead in the 1981 Granada Television adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel and in a two-hour cinema adaptation in 2008. It also stood in for Clyvedon Castle in the Bridgerton series.
Inside the house
The Great Hall and the state rooms hold a large collection of art, sculpture and furniture. A free audio guide is available, and staff in each room are knowledgeable and happy to talk about the house and the family who lived in it.
The chapel and the staircases are among the highlights. The house is built around its central dome, which lights the rooms beneath it.
Most of the house and grounds are accessible to all. A stairlift takes wheelchair users weighing under 225 kg up to the main floor and to most of the rooms. Buggies cannot go into the house.
Gardens, lake and walks
The estate covers 1,000 acres on the edge of the North York Moors, with views across the Howardian Hills. The 18th-century walled garden has roses, peonies and a kitchen garden, and the woodland paths around Ray Wood are quiet even on busy days.
The Kelly Car, a bright yellow tractor-powered road train, runs all day from the ticket office to the lake. It is a practical option for children or for anyone who prefers not to walk the full distance.
The estate has walking routes of about four miles and five and a half miles. Both loops go around the house and offer good views of the architecture. The walks have gentle hills and paths across fields.
Free guided outdoor tours cover the gardens and the architecture between March and October. A garden centre is on site.
Food and family visits
The Courtyard Café is recommended for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. The café at the entrance serves visitors who want to eat before walking up to the house. A farm shop in the courtyard sells produce from the estate farm.
The tea rooms serve food of good quality at prices that are not high. At Christmas, the marquee café serves festive lunches during the seasonal displays.
Children can follow Geoffrey the Lion's illustrated trails, which include a spotter sheet for finding items in the house. Skelfe Island has a children's play area, and an adventure playground is also on the estate.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes. Tickets are sold for the house and gardens, and one visitor bought tickets online for the castle and gardens. The café at the entrance can be used without a ticket.
Can you visit the gardens without going into the house?
Yes. Visitors have spent the day in the grounds and around the lake without going into the house.
Is Castle Howard accessible for wheelchair users?
Most of the house and grounds are accessible to all. A stairlift takes wheelchair users weighing under 225 kg up to the main floor and most of the rooms.
How long do you need to visit?
Plan for half a day to a full day, depending on how much of the estate you walk.
