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

Following the Government's Coronavirus recovery road map announcement on 22nd February, we have been able to bring forward our plans for gradually re-opening the Gardens of Castle Howard.

The Gardens are open for members only. The Gardens will reopen to the public on Saturday 20th March. Pre-booking is essential.

The Government guidance allows for people to access their local Heritage Gardens for daily exercise with people from their household or support bubble. We ask all visitors to follow these restrictions when making decisions about travelling.

The Farm Shop and Garden Centre remain open daily from 10am and continue to offer local delivery and click and collect services.

The House remains closed until further notice.

We feel we need to act responsibly, and we have a duty of care to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors and local community in Ryedale at this critical time in trying to control the virus, we therefore thank you for patience whilst we implement our gradual reopening plan. 

Thank you for your continued support at this challenging time.

Find out more and book now

"One of the top 10 buildings you must visit in your lifetime" The Telegraph, 2018

The Farm Shop
The Castle Howard Farm Shop is open daily from 10am - 4pm with social distancing measures in place. Our Farm Shop is also offering a food ordering service (similar to the well known Click & Collect system) and a delivery service to local villages.
Find out more
The Garden Centre
The Castle Howard Garden Centre is open daily 10am - 5pm with social distancing measures in place. The Garden Centre continues to accept orders for collection or local delivery over the phone.
Find out more

Discover More

News
Castle Howard receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund
Almost 450 heritage organisations in England, including Castle Howard have been awarded cash from the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. Grants of up to £1 million will deliver a ...
View full story
News
Yorkshire Cancer Research helps 'give cancer the boot' with stunning welly themed art installation at Castle Howard
Yorkshire Cancer Research has launched a new art installation at Castle Howard, to help raise awareness of its mission to save lives in Yorkshire.
View full story
Blog
The Atlas Fountain
By Dr Chris Ridgway  //  Sat 27th June
Gardens, Landscape, History
Following some routine maintenance & cleaning, the Atlas Fountain is back up and running. The South Parterre at Castle Howard has been dominated by this massive piece of Victorian sculpture and engine...
View full story
News
Our Heat Pump Project...
During lockdown we have been busy planning to expand our lake source heat pump system, so look out for some equipment along the North shore of the Dairy Pond as you visit over the next few weeks...
View full story
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...
View full story
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.
View full story
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 ...
View full story
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 ...
View full story
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...
View full story
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...
View full story