Buy your admission ticket online for a reduced price compared to purchasing at the Ticket Office. Gardens tickets are available. Please note that the House is currently closed and will reopen 20th March.
The Gardens and Skelf Island Adventure Playground are open daily. The House is now closed until spring, with tickets on sale from the 20th March. In the Courtyard, the Farm Shop, Courtyard Cafe, Coffee Shop, and Garden Centre are open. Our onsite outlets operate on a cashless basis.
Castle Howard is one of the UK’s leading visitor attractions, recognised in 2025 with major awards including Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award. Our acclaimed 21st Century Renaissance restoration programme reflects our commitment to preserving Castle Howard for future generations.
From 20th March - 31st October. Step into 300 years of history. Explore grand galleries, beautiful bedrooms, and a world-class art and sculpture collection. Learn about the nine generations of the Howard family who have occupied Castle Howard, each putting their own mark on the House.
Visits are self-guided and take from 40 to 60 minutes. Our welcome team are brimming with knowledge if you have any questions.
House and Gardens tickets include access to the Grounds, Skelf Island Adventure Playground, shops and cafes, with access from 10am. Please enter the House at your chosen time slot.
From 20th March- 31st October, Sundays, Wednesdays Thursdays. Mountain Goat Tours will transport you to and from Castle Howard, with return travel from York City Centre. The comfortable minibus leaves York once during the day, at 9am with a return time of 1pm.
In the House explore grand galleries, beautiful bedrooms, and a world-class art and sculpture collection, and learn about the nine generations of the Howard family who have occupied Castle Howard.
In the Gardens explore lakes, ornamental woodland, the Walled Garden (open seasonally), grand temples and historic statues.
Explore Castle Howard’s famous Gardens, with two grand lakes, ornamental woodland, the Walled Garden (open seasonally), grand temples and historic statues.
All Gardens tickets include access to the award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground, shops and cafes. Dogs on leads are very welcome.
Discover the stories behind Castle Howard with one of our experienced House Guides. Engaging, knowledgeable and passionate about the Howard family, our guides bring the House to life through its history, art, architecture and the lives of the Howard family across generations.
To ensure privacy and exclusivity, tours take place outside of public opening hours at either 9.00am or from 3.15pm, giving you sole access to the House.
Tours typically last 60–75 minutes and additional requests or bespoke elements can be arranged with a member of our team.
Private tours are available to be booked for up to 15 people. The price remains the same regardless of the number of people on the tour.
Experience Castle Howard through the eyes of one of its leading experts. Our Curator-Led Private Tours are hosted by Chief Curators Dr Chris Ridgway or Matthew Wood, offering rare insight into the history, architecture and collections of this extraordinary House.
Each tour is thoughtfully tailored to your interests, whether you wish to explore the great architectural vision of Vanbrugh and Hawksmoor, delve into the Howard family story or focus on a particular collection.
For those wishing to broaden the experience, tours can be extended to include the Walled Garden and wider landscape, encompassing the Mausoleum, Temple of the Four Winds, follies and Estate parkland.
Sudden Branch Drop (also known as Summer Branch Drop or Limb Drop) is when large trees unexpectedly drop their branches. This is most likely to occur when there is a sudden downpour after a long period of warm and dry weather.
There are many large trees in the Gardens at Castle Howard. Due to the recent weather conditions we're asking visitors to be vigilant, and avoid sitting under large trees. If you notice any signs of Sudden Branch Drop during your visit please speak to a member of staff.
Please note that the House is now closed until spring.
The Gardens, Grounds, shops, cafes and Skelf Island Adventure Playground are open daily.
Ticket Office9am - 4pm
Gardens, Grounds and Skelf Island Adventure Playground Members Only: 9am - 10am All visitors: 10am - 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Please note that the Walled Garden will be closed from 12th November for winter.
House and Fitzroy Cafe House: Closed Fitzroy Cafe: Closed
Farm Shop 10am - 5pm
Garden Centre 10am - 4pm
Coffee Shop 9.30am - 4.30pm
Courtyard Cafe 10am - 4pm
Boathouse Cafe & Kitchen Cafe: Closed Kitchen: Closed
Accepted Affiliate and Discount Schemes
Admission for all of our affiliate schemes can be redeemed on the day at the Ticket Office by presenting a valid membership card or proof of entitlement.
If you are looking to enhance your visit with Guided Tours, special events and more, check out our What's On calendar.
See What's On
Group discounts available for bookings of 20 or more people, please visit our Group Visits page.
Find out about Group Visits
Download a copy of our visitor map and start planning your visit by clicking on the attachment below.