Welcome

Generations of the Howard family have welcomed visitors to Castle Howard, one of the great palaces of Europe, for over 300 years and today we extend this warm welcome to you.

"Nobody... had informed me that I should at one view see a palace, a town, a fortified city, temples on high places, woods worthy of being each a metropolis of the Druids, vales connected to hills by other woods, the noblest lawn in the world fenced by half the horizon, and a mausoleum that would tempt one to be buried alive; in short I have seen gigantic places before, but never a sublime one."  Horace Walpole 1772

COVID-19 Update 

We are delighted that following recent government guidance we have been able to bring forward our plans for safely re-opening the Gardens of Castle Howard, and we will be doing this in the first instance for Members only, commencing Wednesday 3rd June, and then for all visitors from Monday 8th June. Find out more and book your visit...

The Farm Shop and Garden Centre are open daily from 10am, and continue to offer ordering services. 

The House, Adventure Playground and indoor seated food outlets remain closed until further notice (takeaway food outlets will be open).

To read our full COVID-19 update please click here.

Farm Shop
Our Farm Shop is now offering a food ordering service (similar to the well known Click & Collect system) and a delivery service to local villages.
Find out more
Garden Centre
Our Garden Centre is now offering a ordering service (similar to the well known Click & Collect system) and a delivery service to within a 20 mile radius.
Find out more
Castle Howard crowned 'Best Large Attraction' at the Visit York Tourism Awards 2020
Castle Howard Best Large Attraction at the Visit York Tourism Awards 2020
Due the virus outbreak, the Visit York Tourism Awards were broadcast live on Minster FM on the evening of Thursday 23rd April.

The awards celebrate achievements by businesses who contribute towards the great tourism offer in and around the City of York. From restaurants to hotels, campsites to tourist attractions, VisitYork award a series of accolades based on a mystery shop, with finalists then being judged by a panel of local experts!
Castle Howard was shortlisted along with the Jorvik Viking Centre and National Railway Museum for the award of 'Best Large Attraction', and were delighted to have been selected in such a strong category.

Abbi Ollive, Head of Marketing, said "We couldn’t be more delighted to be crowned winners at the VisitYork Awards! What a fantastic way to celebrate York and the wider region’s tourism offer. And what better way to remind people of all the brilliant places to go and enjoy as soon as we are all allowed."

Discover More

Blog
Castle Howard Celebrates 75 Years of Brideshead Revisited
By Dr Chris Ridgway  //  Fri 29th May
Curatorial, History, Collection, Estate, Brideshead
Seventy-five years ago, in May 1945, just three weeks after VE Day, Evelyn Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited was published. Little did anyone, including the author, know how it would turn into an end...
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News
Castle Howard Live Concerts Postponed to 2021
Following weeks of careful consideration, Castle Howard & Events Partners LPH Concerts have made the decision to postpone the much anticipated 'Castle Howard Live' concert weekend until 2021.
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Blog
Arriving at Castle Howard
By Dr Chris Ridgway  //  Fri 15th May
Curatorial, History, Collection, Estate
In this personal reflection Curator Dr Chris Ridgway ponders the impact and significance of the famous Castle Howard Avenue, and tries to recapture the experience of seeing it for the first time, and ...
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Blog
Remembering VE Day: The 75th Anniversary
By Dr Chris Ridgway  //  Thu 7th May
Curatorial, History, Collection, Estate
On VE Day, 8th May 1945, Castle Howard, like countless homes, places emerged from six long years of conflict. During these years the building had been ravaged by fire, the Howards had suffered family ...
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Blog
National Gardening Week
By Alastair Gunn  //  Wed 29th April
Gardens, Landscape, History
Today marks the start of National Gardening Week. This video was produced last year for our new audio digital guide, and we thought now might be the perfect time to share it. Our Head of Gardens and...
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Blog
Chimneys and Chimney Sweeps at Castle Howard
By Dr Chris Ridgway  //  Fri 24th April
Curatorial, History, Collection
The long roll-call of staff who have worked at Castle Howard over the centuries includes figures whose occupations and tasks have hardly changed despite the advent of modern technologies. Alongside co...
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News
Café Mambo Ibiza brings Classics to the Castle
Café Mambo Ibiza comes to Castle Howard on Friday 21st August with a unmissable night of Ibiza classics under the stars. Artists announced are Roger Sanchez, Judge Jules, Julie McKnight (Live PA), Rid...
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News
Spartan Race comes to Castle Howard
Spartan, the world's largest obstacle course race and endurance brand is coming to Yorkshire for the first time, the event will be held on 5th and 6th September at Castle Howard.
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News
Countryfile Live Announcement
It is with regret that BBC Studios and SME have taken the decision to cancel Countryfile Live at Castle Howard between 6th and 9th August 2020.
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News
Castle Howard partners with Yorwaste to reduce it's environmental impact
Castle Howard has partnered with Yorwaste to help it further reduce the environmental impact of a quarter of a million people who visit each year.
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"One of the top 10 buildings you must visit in your lifetime" The Telegraph, 2018