Updated on December 29, 2024
Castle Howard is one of the most famous stately homes in Yorkshire. But, did you know there is a whole lot more to discover than just the house? Here is your guide to the best things to do at Castle Howard on your next visit!
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Things to do at Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a stunning country house in North Yorkshire. This beautiful house, gardens and grounds is a favourite spot for visitors of all ages.
There are a lot of things to do at Castle Howard. You can spend an hour or so exploring, or make your visit last an entire day, depending on how much you want to take in. This guide will show you where to get started and give you all the information you need to know before you go.
About Castle Howard
Before we explore the best things to do at Castle Howard, here is a quick introduction to the Castle Howard estate.
Where is Castle Howard?
Castle Howard is in North Yorkshire. You will find the stately home in Henderskelfe, located 15 miles (24 km) north of York. Situated near the village of Welburn, it lies within the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
What is Castle Howard famous for?
Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in the early 18th century, Castle Howard is celebrated as one of England’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. For over 300 years, Castle Howard has been the residence of the Howard family.
As well as being a beautiful estate, Castle Howard has served as a filming location for various TV shows and movies, most notably the 1981 television adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s “Brideshead Revisited” and the 2008 film adaptation
What was filmed at Castle Howard?
Castle Howard is no stranger to the big and small screens. The house and gardens have featured in many TV shows and movies. Just a few include the BBC’s Death Comes to Pemberley, ITV’s Victoria, and even a music video for the Artic Monkeys.
Most recently, Castle Howard played the role of Clyvedon Castle, the home of the Duke of Hastings in the Netflix original series, Bridgerton.
By far Castle Howard’s most famous role is that of Brideshead. Inspired by the novel Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, Castle Howard has fulfilled the role of Brideshead not once, but twice! First in 1981 for a TV series by Granada, then again in 2008 for the feature film by Miramax.
>> Want to discover more filming locations in Yorkshire? Find over 30 of them here! <<
Who lives in Castle Howard now?
The Howard family still owns Castle Howard. It has been the private residence of the Howard family for more than 300 years.
The family still live in the house today but invite the public to visit and admire the beautiful house and gardens they are lucky enough to call home!
How much is Castle Howard worth?
If you’re hoping Castle Howard finds its way on the property market one day, you might want to start saving now! The Howard family fortune has an estimated value of around $80 million which is around £61 million.
Even with 145 rooms inside so plenty of opportunity to share with friends, that’s still a hefty chuck of change that puts it out of about everyone’s budget! But we can still dream, hey?
The Best Things to do at Castle Howard
Here are the best things to do at Castle Howard that you don’t want to miss.
Explore The House
Any visit to Castle Howard should start with a tour of the house. You can choose to take a guided tour on select dates, or simply follow from room to room exploring Castle Howard at your own pace.
However you choose to explore Castle Howard, you’ll fall in love with the grand rooms and extravagant decor.
This impressive property is one to be admired. With over 145 rooms, it is one of the largest country houses in England. You’ll want to allow at least one hour just to explore the many rooms of the house.
Discover The Castle Howard Gardens
Castle Howard features several gardens in different styles. But the most recognisable is the formal garden immediately behind the house.
The formal gardens feature rows of precisely pruned hedges that guide the eye towards the southern facade of the house. It is carefully crafted to highlight the grandeur of the building.
At the centre of the formal garden is the iconic Atlas Fountain. The fountain and pond date back to 1850 and it was showcased at The Great Exhibition before installation.
Find The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden is a tranquil spot not to be missed. Stroll the carefully manicured borders and soak up the summer blooms in this garden dedicated to the memory of Lady Cecilia Howard.
The garden features a cheerful combination of adjoining rose gardens with over 2000 roses, and vegetable gardens. The produce harvested from the garden is used in the kitchens and available to purchase at the farm shop.
The Walled Garden closes to visitors in the winter months for essential maintenance in preparation for the next season.
Take a Woodland Walk
Ray Wood was once an ancient woodland that was felled in the 1940s. However, George Howard decided to reinstate the picturesque wood in the 1970s.
Today, Ray Wood is a pretty woodland garden. It is filled with winding paths, ornamental plantings and over 800 species of Rhododendron.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a stroll through the majestic Ray Wood on your next visit to Castle Howard.
Find the Castle Howard Temples
There are several follies and temples dotted throughout the Castle Howard estate. Here are a few to spot on your next visit.
Site of the Temple of Venus
The Temple of Venus was built in the 1730s. Unfortunately, the open rotunda collapsed in the 1940s. No temple stands on the site today, but you can see where it once stood.
Fortunately, the statue of Venus survived the collapse, and you can find her standing amongst the roses in the Walled Garden.
Temple of the Four Winds
The far end of the Temple Terrace is unmistakable. The grand Temple of the Four Winds dominates the skyline from its prominent viewpoint.
Architect Sir John Vanbrugh designed the temple, but it wasn’t completed until after his death. The temple was finally completed in 1738.
Originally the temple was used as a place for refreshments and reading, with a cellar beneath for servants to prepare food. Today, it stands a grand structure that you’ll want to admire.
Find the Aztec Pyramid
Hidden in the depths of Ray Wood, you will find a moss-covered Aztec pyramid. This unassuming sculpture is far less grand than the other temples on the estate, but it is just as worthy of a visit.
The best thing about the Aztec Pyramid is that it is shrouded in the surrounding woodland. You will have to hunt around to find the exact spot of this unique monument!
Th Aztec Pyramid is easiest to locate in the winter months when you’re not battling with so much greenery!
Enjoy the Adventure Playground
If you’re visiting Castle Howard with kids, the adventure playground is the ideal place for them to burn off some energy.
Known as Skelf Island, this epic playground adventure features treetop nests which are connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and more.
Access to Skelf Island is included in a gardens admission ticket.
Visit Castle Howard Events
Castle Howard hosts several events throughout the year. From festivals for dogs to gin tasting, unique tours and more. If you time your visit with a Castle Howard event, you’re in for a treat!
Want to discover the legendary Castle Howard Christmas event? Read about it here!
Indulge at the Farm Shop
If you’re looking for a truly local treat, make sure you visit the Castle Howard farm shop. The shop stocks a wonderful variety of food produce from the local area. The selection includes meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, drinks, treats and more.
The farm shop is in the Stable Courtyard and is open daily.
Shop at the Castle Howard Garden Centre
For visitors with green fingers, a visit to the Castle Howard Garden Centre is a must! The friendly team of staff is on hand to help you choose from a beautiful selection of plants, tools, accessories and more to meet your needs.
Castle Howard is also home to one of the last traditional estate nurseries in England. So, if you’re looking to source top quality UK trees, Castle Howard is the ideal place.
Where to Eat at Castle Howard
There are several places to eat at Castle Howard. Here is an overview of the ones to try when you visit.
The Courtyard Cafe
The Courtyard Cafe is the first eatery you will encounter when you arrive at Castle Howard. It is the ideal place to start your visit and plan your trip over a coffee and light bite or cake.
Boathouse Cafe
Boathouse Cafe sits on the bank of the Great Lake. Rest your legs and soak up the sweeping views across the water as you recharge and tuck into a freshly prepared sandwich, soup, or cake.
Please note that Boathouse Cafe may be closed in bad weather.
The Coffee Shop
The Coffee Shop is the spot to grab food when you are on the go.
With so many things to do at Castle Howard, you might not want food to slow you down! The grab and go selection at the Coffee Shop is perfect if you’re feeling peckish mid-adventure.
There is a selection of sandwiches, pastries and cakes on offer, plus hot and cold drinks.
Fitzroy Cafe
Fitzroy Cafe is for those looking for a more substantial lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea. Choose from a selection of satisfying hot meals or delicious sandwiches.
This cafe is situated inside the main house, and the decadent setting of the Fitzroy room is a wonderful way to indulge in a little extra luxury on your visit.
Visiting Castle Howard: Important Info
Here is all the essential information you need to know before you visit Castle Howard.
When is Castle Howard open?
Castle Howard is open to the public daily, between March and November. During the winter months you can experience a magical Christmas at Castle Howard, although parts of the house and gardens are closed during this time.
No matter when you visit Castle Howard, pre-booking is essential. Book your tickets here.
How much does it cost to visit Castle Howard?
Ticket prices vary depending on whether you are visiting during peak or off-peak hours. As of April 2022, tickets cost around £19-£25/adult and £9.50-£12.50/child.
How to get to Castle Howard
By car: Castle Howard is easily accessible from the A64. This main road connects Leeds, York, and the Yorkshire Coast. Simply navigate to YO60 7DA.
By bus: There is a CastleLine bus service which runs directly between York and Castle Howard. You can get details on the service and stops here.
By train: The closest train station is Malton, and the nearest major station is York. From these stations you can catch the CastleLine bus service as outlined above.
Is Castle Howard accessible?
Castle Howard has several accessibility features so that everyone can thoroughly enjoy their visit.
These include but are not limited to:
- Free designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders
- Free admission for essential carers
- Paved outdoors route to the house and gardens. Only Ray Wood is inaccessible due to the uneven terrain.
- Stair lift inside the house
- Written guides translated in several languages
- Large print and braille information sheets
- Free land train transportation service (check the website to ensure the land train is in service at the time of your visit as it has recently been out of operation due to Covid restrictions)
- Hearing loop in the ticket office
- Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site
- Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow (no pre-booking required)
- Adapted toilets are inside the Stable Courtyard, the house, and Boatyard Cafe
- Accessible shops and cafes
- Pushchairs are not permitted in the house but can be stored in the entrance and hip-seats are available to borrow to assist in carrying children under 3 years.
You can find full details of accessibility at Castle Howard on the website.
Where to stay near Castle Howard
With so much to discover at Castle Howard, you may want to extend your visit. If you plan to see more of the surrounding area, you’ll want to stay for a couple of days or a long weekend.
Don’t forget, Castle Howard is set in the stunning Howardian Hills AONB. This incredible landscape is recognised for its outstanding natural beauty. It is the perfect place for a weekend of walking or hiking.
There are plenty of other incredible sites to visit in the area. These include Nunnington Hall, Hovingham Hall, Newburgh Priory, Ampleforth Abbey, Kirkham Priory and more.
Here are the best places to stay near Castle Howard if you want to turn your daytrip into a weekend getaway.
- Librarian’s Cottage – enjoy the convenience of staying on the Castle Howard Estate in this charming two-bedroom holiday home.
- The Green – this spacious two-bedroom holiday home is less than a mile from Castle Howard. It is the ideal homebase for exploring the estate and the surrounding Howardian Hills.
- The Dairy – this charming two-bedroom holiday home is conveniently located between Castle Howard and York, making it perfectly placed to explore the surrounding countryside and the historic city.
Discover more places to stay near Castle Howard here.
The Best Things to do at Castle Howard
So, these are the best things to do at Castle Howard. Which will you be trying out on your next visit? Let me know in the comments below!
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Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
The rose and vegetable gardens are those from my dreams! I can’t even get my lavender to stay alive long enough to enjoy it.. What beautiful grounds here! I love how you recommend local places to stay as well. Sometimes I can get sucked into touristy spots if I can find good recommendations so this is really helpful. I would definitely love to visit during the Magical Christmas display!
The Castle Howard gardens are beautiful, aren’t they? Lavender seems to thrive around us as mine is super hardy despite my lack of green fingers! It’s not quit as grand as the display at Castle Howard though! It is such a beautiful place to visit and exploring at Christmas is truly magical! I hope you get an opportunity to visit!
Wow sounds like there are so many ways to spend a day at Castle Howard. I think I would want to go for a stroll in the woodland gardens and grab a coffee! Thanks for the detailed info.
There is so much to see and do at Castle Howard! It is a beautiful place to spend a day exploring! Thanks for reading.
I can’t even imagine a private family owning a “home” this large! We don’t have many castles in Canada (one or two) and I’ve always wanted to visit one. I bet Christmas here would be magical.
It is mind-blowing isn’t it? 🤯 I can’t even comprehend living somewhere like this! What an impressive place to call home though! Christmas at Castle Howard is exceptionally enchanting, I hope you get an opportunity to visit it one year!
I’m heading to England in the fall. So greatly appreciate your guide on Castle Howard in North Yorkshire! Definitely adding to my list!
Castle Howard is a beautiful place and well worth a visit when you are in the area. I hope you have a great trip!
Ah Yorkshire can’t wait to get back there, my favourite place in England. I’ve never managed to get in Castle Howard but it’s on my list for the next time I’m there.
Castle Howard is a wonderful place to visit and a great way to spend a day when you are next in Yorkshire. I hope you get the opportunity to visit soon!
I would love to explore this walled garden and take the woodland walk with my dog. Are dogs permitted in the gardens? Great post!
Yes! Dogs are welcome at Castle Howard, they just need to stay on a lead. I imagine your four-legged friend would love exploring the gardens with you! Thhanks for reading!
Visiting Castle Howard has been on my list for a while. I would love to explore the house and see the Aztec pyramid. Hopefully, I can make it there soon.
Aah Castle Howard is such a beautiful place to explore, I hope you get the opportunity to tick it off your list soon!