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Castle Howard

Castles & palaces ·York ·Closed
4.34.3K
#42Things to do in York North Yorkshire EnglandTravelers' Choice 2026
  • Visit: 40–60 min
  • Ideal for big groups, dogs
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About

Castle Howard: a Baroque house with gardens in Henderskelfe, 15 miles north of York, still owned by a Howard family company.

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Castle Howard

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What's on here

Playshapes: Castle Constructors Playshapes: Castle Constructors Until 31 Oct Meet David Attenborough and Cinnamon, our Red Squirrels! Meet David Attenborough and Cinnamon, our Red Squirrels! Until 31 Oct Squirrel Talks Squirrel Talks Until 31 Oct Pesky Pumpkin Trail in the House Pesky Pumpkin Trail in the House Until 31 Oct Pilates, movement and wellbeing Pilates, movement and wellbeing 31 Oct – 23 Nov A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard 12 Nov – 3 Jan 2027 Christmas Afternoon Tea Christmas Afternoon Tea 15 Nov – 3 Jan 2027 Autumn Colour at the Arboretum Autumn Colour at the Arboretum Until 15 Nov Show more

Why go

  • The dome over the 24 m Great Hall, with the Fall of Phaeton ceiling painting recreated under it after the 1940 fire.
  • About 130 ancient sculptures, reliefs and inscriptions on display inside the house.
  • The Long Gallery and Grand Staircase, revamped in the 2025 project that rehung the whole art collection.
  • The house on screen, from Barry Lyndon (1975), where Stanley Kubrick filmed, to Bridgerton, where it doubled as Clyvedon Castle.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 16:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 16:00
Tuesday10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday10:00 – 16:00
Thursday10:00 – 16:00
Friday10:00 – 16:00
Saturday10:00 – 16:00
Sunday10:00 – 16:00

Don't miss

  • Temple of the Four WindsVanbrugh's last work.At the far end of the formal garden, directly south of the house. On the map
  • MausoleumOne of the two main garden buildings; curator-led tours can extend to it.In the English landscape park that opens out from the formal garden. On the map
  • The two grand lakesTwo grand lakes, with ornamental woodland, grand temples and historic statues in the Gardens.In the Gardens, beyond the formal garden south of the house. On the map
  • Skelf Island Adventure PlaygroundA play area with rope bridges; Gardens tickets include access.On the estate. On the map

Your visit in 1–3 hours

1 h
  1. House only: a self-guided visit takes 40 to 60 minutes.
  2. Then walk into the large formal garden that lies directly south of the house.

Know before you go

  • Open every day from 10:00 to 16:00.
  • The house closes at midday on 29 September and reopens at 11am on 30 September.
  • The Gardens, including the Arboretum added in the 20th century, stay open on 29 September.
  • Staging the Baroque closes on Thursday 22 October.
  • Dogs on leads are welcome in the Gardens.
  • Avoid sitting under large trees in the Gardens; they can drop branches unexpectedly, most often after a sudden downpour.
  • The onsite outlets work on a cashless basis.
  • Prices are on the official site's booking page.

Legends and hidden details

  • It played Brideshead Castle in the 1981 TV series and the 2008 film of Brideshead Revisited.
  • Arctic Monkeys filmed the video for Four Out of Five here in 2018.
  • Miramax shot a feature film starring Ben Whishaw here in 2008.
  • Lady L, a 1965 Peter Ustinov film, used the house as a filming location.

What's inside

  • The Great Hall, 24 m high, under the dome of the central block built 1703–1706.
  • The entrance hall and the turquoise salon, which appeared in a 2013 BBC miniseries.
  • Ancient sculptures and inscriptions, most bought before 1745 by the 4th Earl of Carlisle.
  • The east wing is still a shell, though it has a new roof.

Tips for your visit

  • Download the visitor map to help plan the visit.
  • The house is within easy reach of York, Malton, Pickering and Scarborough.
  • Holiday cottages within walking distance are available for a longer stay.
  • A Christmas show brings Charles Dickens' novels to life in grand style.

Best time to visit

  • The Walled Garden is open seasonally only.
  • Visitors can experience the transformation of the house, unveiled in April 2025.

With kids

  • Its adventure playground makes it suitable for a family day out.
  • Skelf Island on the estate is a play area for young people with rope bridges.
  • Gardens tickets include access to the Skelf Island Adventure Playground, shops and cafes.

Interesting facts4

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  1. The main entrance is designed as a medieval tower, with four obelisks around it.

    Château Howard - Wikipedia

  2. The West Wing was built in Palladian style, to a design by Sir Thomas Robinson.

    Castle Howard - Wikipedia

  3. Its interiors stood in for Kensington Palace in the TV series Victoria.

    Castle Howard - Wikipedia

  4. It appears as the fictional Carlyle Castle in the film Garfield 2.

    Castle Howard - Wikipedia

Shorts

Tours and audio guides

Self-guided visit
40 to 60 minutes
Guided tour
60 to 75 minutes Experienced guides bring the house to life through its history, art and architecture. Tours can focus on the architectural vision of Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor.
Curator-led tour
60 to 75 minutes Hosted by Chief Curators Dr Chris Ridgway or Matthew Wood. Can extend to the Mausoleum and the Temple of the Four Winds.
Private tour
Groups of up to 15 people Runs outside public hours, giving sole access to the house.

Sources: Castle Howard - Wikipedia · Malton (England) - Wikivoyage (see) · Castle Howard House and Gardens - A Place Like … · Castle Howard House and Gardens - A Place Like … · Castle Howard - Ticket information, opening tim… · Castle Howard - Wikipedia · Château Howard - Wikipedia · checked 19 Oct 2026

Where
The Stray, York North Yorkshire England

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How long does a visit to Castle Howard take?

A self-guided visit takes 40 to 60 minutes. Guided tours typically last 60 to 75 minutes.

How do I get to Castle Howard from York?

Castle Howard lies 15 miles north of York and 7 miles west of Malton, off the A64. Mountain Goat Tours run a minibus from York City Centre on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It leaves York at 9am and returns from the site at 1pm.

Is Castle Howard suitable for children?

Its adventure playground makes it suitable for a family day out. Gardens tickets include access to the Skelf Island Adventure Playground, shops and cafes.

When is Castle Howard open?

Castle Howard is open every day from 10:00 to 16:00. The Walled Garden is open seasonally only.

Do I need to book a visit to Castle Howard?

The official site has a booking page with opening times and prices for Castle Howard.

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