Castle Howard is the grandest country house near York and one of the great houses of England. It was designed in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries for the Earl of Carlisle by Sir John Vanbrugh, with help from Nicholas Hawksmoor, and it remains the home of the Howard family. The house is a showpiece of English baroque, crowned with a dome and surrounded by one of the finest designed landscapes in the country, with a long lake, temples, a mausoleum and an obelisk set around the grounds. Film and television fans know it as Brideshead, the Marchmain family home in the 1981 television series Brideshead Revisited and again in the 2008 film. Inside, the painted Great Hall under the dome is the most dramatic room, and the house also holds a restored Tapestry Drawing Room. Outside, the formal gardens and the Walled Garden are lovely in summer, the Temple of the Four Winds is the focus of a striking art installation, and Skelf Island is an adventure playground beside the Great Lake. The Arboretum covers around 120 acres with over seven thousand trees, a long walk for plant lovers, particularly in autumn.
How to visit
Castle Howard lies about fifteen miles north-east of York, near Malton, and is easiest by car or on a day tour. The house is open from spring to autumn and is closed for much of the winter, when it is transformed for Christmas, while the grounds, courtyard and arboretum are open on most days with shorter winter hours and an earlier last entry.
Check the booking page for the exact days, as the house can close for events and the Walled Garden has its own opening pattern. A seasonal coach service from York city centre has run in partnership with the estate, so look at the venue’s website when planning without a car.
What to expect
Allow a full day, or at least four hours, to see the house and a good part of the grounds. The house is the main draw, but the landscape is the real reason to stay, and strolling from the Temple of the Four Winds around the lake to the Mausoleum is one of the best walks in Yorkshire. There are cafés and shops in the courtyard, and children have the playground and plenty of space to run. Wear walking shoes, as paths can be long and muddy after rain.
Making the most of it
Go in the morning, see the house first while it is quiet, and walk the grounds after lunch. It suits families, couples, garden lovers and fans of the Brideshead story, and makes a good alternative to a busy day in York. In winter, check whether the house is open for its Christmas display and book ahead, as these dates sell out. It is not a cheap day out, so consider a combined ticket or annual pass if you are planning to return.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to a baroque country house, its painted Great Hall, formal gardens, lake, temples and a large arboretum.
Best time
A dry morning from spring to autumn, when the house is open and the gardens are at their best.
How long
Four hours at minimum, or a full day with the arboretum.
Tips
Check the opening days for the house and the Walled Garden, wear walking shoes and plan your transport from York in advance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Country-house and garden lovers, Brideshead fans and anyone who wants a day beyond the city walls.
- Families
- The playground on Skelf Island, the grounds and the lake give children room to run, and the house has plenty to see.
- Couples
- A long walk around the lake and the temples is one of the most romantic afternoons near York.
- Pair with
- A day in York, or a tour that combines the house with Yorkshire villages and moors.
- Time needed
- A half to a full day.
Good questions
Is Castle Howard open all year?+
The house is open from spring to autumn and is transformed for Christmas in winter, while the grounds and arboretum are open on most days with shorter hours. Check the booking page for your date.
How far is Castle Howard from York?+
It is about fifteen miles north-east of York, near Malton. It is easiest by car or on a tour, and a coach service from the city centre has run in partnership with the estate.
Was Brideshead Revisited filmed at Castle Howard?+
Yes, Castle Howard was the Marchmain family home in the 1981 television series and in the 2008 film of Brideshead Revisited.
How long do you need at Castle Howard?+
Allow at least four hours for the house and part of the grounds, or a full day if you want to walk around the lake and into the arboretum.
Is Castle Howard good for children?+
Yes, the Skelf Island adventure playground, the lakeside paths and the large grounds suit families, and there are cafés in the courtyard.
