Castle Howard is known as one of Yorkshire’s best loved tourist attractions, and has been welcoming visitors from across the globe through its gates since building began in 1700. Today is no different, with around 250,000 people visiting the House & Gardens every year.

2019 will see the Estate launch a new event in Yorkshire’s summer calendar. On the eve of ‘Yorkshire Day’, ‘Howard Day’ will celebrate all things Castle Howard and recognise the date the House opened to the general public for the first time. The House was officially opened to the public in July 1952 by Mr George Howard, father of Nicholas Howard, who currently heads the private company that operates the Estate. The opening, which was marked with bunting, games and tours of the House delivered by George Howard himself, heralded the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the House which has been lived in by successive generations of the Howard family for over 300 years.

Taking place on 31st July 2019, Howard Day will feature family fun activities, free admission for anyone with the name ‘Howard’, and the launch of a new initiative being penned as ‘Capturing the Castle’, a crowd sourced photo exhibition project. “This exhibit will feature photos and memorabilia donated by the public as part of our first Crowd Sourced project” says Curator Dr Christopher Ridgway. “The aim is to compile a library of material from the past and present, revealing favourite views, memories and unusual sights and pictures that celebrate not only the place, but the people who visit and work here – they are what make Castle Howard so special.”

The stately home 15 miles north of York has been highlighted as “one of the top 10 buildings to visit in your lifetime” (Daily Telegraph, 2018). The House & Gardens will be open daily until 4th November 2019.

For more information on visiting 'Howard Day' please click here or for information on how to get involved in the 'Capturing the Castle' project please click here.