The Castle Howard episode is due to broadcast on Channel 4 on Tuesday 9th December at 8pm and is the first in the series. Other homes and castles featured in the programme include Chiswick House in London, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and Kensington Palace. The programme is produced by Factual Fiction, a production company based in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The programme follows the CLW Event Design team as they plan, build and install Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which opened to visitors in November. The 300-year-old House is dressed in set pieces, decorations, floristry, projections, lighting and sound, set to delight tens of thousands of visitors over a 7-week period.

The showstopping Emerald City High Street in the Long Gallery is a highlight of the experience for 2025, with life size fabricated shop fronts inspired by York Shambles, decorated by a specialist signwriting expert. In addition, Castle Howard’s famous 28-foot Christmas tree sparkles in the Great Hall, installed by a team of 30 using a specialist forklift and winch system. The CLW Event Design team have worked on the project since January with huge set pieces fabricated and built on the Castle Howard Estate before being moved into the House. The installation process in the House takes ten days to complete, with circa 30,000 baubles are on display.

Abbi Ollive, Castle Howard’s Visitor Attraction Director, said: “We were delighted to welcome Channel 4 back to Castle Howard to follow the amazing Christmas team bring to life our festive experience. Thousands of hours go into creating our theatrical worlds to delight our visitors year on year, and this year is no different. It’s always a joy to show
off the behind-the-scenes and celebrate the amazing team that make it happen.”

A Very British Christmas: Castle Howard, Channel 4
9th December, 8pm

Watch here.