Houses & Gardens
Castle Howard
Castle Howard
York
North Yorkshire
Home to the Howard family since 1699, Castle Howard is so much more than just a magnificent 18th Century house with extensive collections and breathtaking parkland and gardens. Welcoming around 200,000 visitors a year, Castle Howard provides a range of activities to suit both groups and individuals.
World-class gardens proudly display seasonal collections of snowdrops, daffodils, rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and delphiniums. While the 1,000 acres of sublime landscape filled with temples, lakes, statues and fountains will always leave visitors full of awe; don't miss seeing Vanbrugh's Temple of the four winds, or Hawksmoor's circular Mausoleum, which is as big as one of Christopher Wren's churches. In the grounds, enjoy outdoor tours that reveal the secrets of the architecture and gardens. Inside, welcoming guides bring stories of the house, family and collections to life, while historical costumed guides take you back in time. Exhibitions go behind the scenes of Brideshead Revisited, and The Women of Castle Howard celebrates the lives and accomplishments of the women who have lived and worked at Castle Howard throughout the centuries.
A varied programme of events run throughout the year and include the annual Castle Howard Proms Spectacular, Food Festival, School Holiday Children's Activities and for the first time, Christmas Opening.
Well known for its first class shopping, Castle Howard's retail outlets include an award-winning farm shop, extended plant centre and chocolate shop, as well as gift and craft shops. Homemade meals are available in the Courtyard Café and Fitzroy Room, while the Lakeside Café, next to the adventure playground, offers a selection of family friendly drinks and snacks.
Dogs on leads are welcome at Castle Howard. Please note that there are a few restricted areas where dogs are not permitted and these are clearly signed.
Castle Howard has good facilities available for the disabled, with transport from the Ticket Office to the house, disabled toilets on site, ramped paths and entrances and a chairlift in the house. We have wheelchairs available for use in the Grounds on a first come first served basis. (Please note that there is no wheelchair access to the Chapel)
The house is open daily from 1st March to 5th November 2006. The house will be open for the Christmas event from 6th to 17th December. The gardens, Stable Courtyard shops and plant centre are open all year; except Christmas Day.
Opening times: Gardens 10am with last admissions at 4.30pm. House 11am with last admissions at 4.00pm. Stable Courtyard Shops 10am to 5pm.
Open Christmas; Open New Year
