Heritage Britain

Places to Visit in York, Yorkshire

Castle Howard, York

Castle Howard

York
Yorkshire
YO6 7DA
Tel: +44(0)1653 648333
Fax: +44(0)1653 648529
Castle Howard online: information and bookings

Castle Howard, home of the Howard Family, was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh for Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle in 1699.

It was remarkable that the Earl of Carlisle chose a celebrated playwright and soldier to design his palace and Castle Howard was the first building attempted by Vanbrugh.

The piece de resistance of Castle Howard is the magnificent gilded dome which was the first in England ever to adorn a private home.

Castle Howard has been open to the public since the day it was built and contains magnificent collections of furniture, paintings, porcelain and statuary, most of which has been collected by succeeding generations of the Howard Family. Furniture by Chippendale and Sheraton, paintings by Gainsborough, Holbein, Reynolds and Rubens, ancient Greek and Roman statuary and exquisite porcelain and china are all on view inside the House.

Surrounding the House are over 1,000 acres of breathtaking parkland, lawns, woodland gardens, lakes, fountains and magnificent Rose Gardens with collections of old and modern roses. The woodland garden, Ray Wood, has a unique collection of rare trees, shrubs, rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas.

The Temple of the Four Winds, also designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and the Mausoleum which is internationally regarded as Nicholas Hawksmoor’s finest work can also be seen in the Grounds. Castle Howard is frequently used as a setting for major television dramas. ‘Brideshead Revisited’ Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel, was filmed here in the 1980’s and in 1994 Castle Howard was the principal location for the dramatisation of Edith Wharton’s ‘The Buccaneers’.

Outdoor classical concerts are held at Castle Howard during the Summer Season and attract in excess of 20,000 visitors on each occasion.
Castle Howard welcomes visitors from all over the world and the inclusive ticket covers entry to the House, Grounds and Gardens, Adventure Playgrounds, Exhibition Wing, Gift Shops, Plant Centre, Cafeterias and Farm Shop.

Optional extra is the Victorian Style motor launch which operates on the Great Lake during the Summer months weather permitting.

Castle Howard, York

Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Restaurant, Tea Room, Picnic Area, Children, Car Park, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available, Gift shop.

Weddings and Conferences
WEDDINGS NEAR YORK, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Castle Howard is licensed for Civil Marriage Ceremonies in the Temple of the Four Winds which can accommodate 25 guests seated or 50 standing. The Temple of the Four Winds is available between June and August from 5.00pm onwards.

Exclusive opening of the House for an Evening Reception (with guests arriving at 7.00pm) can be arranged all through the year. The evening will start with a Reception in the Great Hall, followed by Dinner in the Long Gallery (200 places) or the Grecian Hall (74 places).

Castle Howard provides a tranquil and inspiring venue for business delegates to meet; all within easy access of motorway and rail networks.  With a range of delicious menus and dedicated staff Castle Howard can oversee the arrangements of all your business entertaining needs from breakfast meetings, management meetings, seminars, working lunches, award ceremonies, staff away days, team building to product launches. 

Take advantage of our grounds and estate with teambuilding activities from motorised sports, target shooting to unique teambuilding tasks all under the spectacular backdrop of Castle Howard.

For large scale events, including ride and drives and product launches, our South Event Lawn provides an ideal location for displays and driving activities.

For all business entertaining and meeting enquiries please contact house@castlehoward.co.uk or telephone The Event & Sales Manager on 01653 648623.

In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting

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