Warning signs have been installed at the bottom of the footpath leading up to Ray Wood  following the designation of the incline as the UK’s first official ‘downhill rolling zone’ – a space where children and adults alike are invited to enjoy the simple pleasures of rolling down the grassy bank!

The designated rolling zone is 11m wide and a spectacular 126m long down the perfect incline for downhill rolling – sufficiently sloped to get a decent speed up, but not too steep as to lose control! The width enables up to three children – or a child and an adult – to roll concurrently, making it ideal for informal racing.

“We are unaware of any official ski-slope style ratings for rolling hills, but would say that this one is an intermediary slope – perfect for children and adults alike to enjoy the pursuit,” says marketing manager, Rachel Underwood. “We do have a second, much smaller slope in the Boar Garden, which is an ideal starter slope for younger children in an area often frequented by mother and toddler groups – no matter how young or old you are, you can roll to your heart’s content.”

By creating the rolling space, the team at Castle Howard are hoping that it will mark the start of more informal use of the 1000 acres of garden and forest. “Our grounds are a space that are perfect for exploring – and we want all of our visitors to feel free to run, laugh, play and make the most of this stunning setting,” adds Rachel. “Castle Howard is a family home, and generations of Howard children have played inside and out. This isn’t a library where visitors have to remain studiously silent, but a place that comes alive with the sound of fun and laughter both within the house itself and in the grounds.”

Signage has been installed at the top of Ray Wood Rolling Zone to mark the start, with warning signs placed at the bottom of the slope to alert those ascending to be aware of rollers.