Castle Howard House and Gardens

Explore iconic architecture and beautiful interiors as well as the gardens and grounds including lakes, woodland, temples and statues

e-voucher
eligible with a VisitBritain Gift Card

Castle Howard key information

Outstanding beauty

Breathtaking scenery awaits you in Castle Howard and its surroundings.

Highlights

  • Discover why Castle Howard has been home to the Howard family for more than 300 years.
  • Explore iconic architecture and beautiful interiors when you visit the House, including the Great Hall which rises 70 feet into the air - which you may have recognised in the Netflix series, Bridgerton.
  • Take a stroll around the gardens and admire the grounds including lakes, follies, woodland, temples and statues.
  • Admire the beautiful scenery anytime as gardens and woodlands bring out the colour and drama of the four seasons.
Skelf Island Adventure Playground
  • Enjoy a family day out with your children from the award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground to adventures around the estate gardens.
  • Test your little explorers’ skills through ingenious treetop nest structures connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment.

What's included

  • Castle and grounds admission entry
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Transport

Prepare for the experience

  • Upon booking you will receive an email from VisitBrtain Shop with a link to download your e-voucher.

  • Please download and exchange your e-voucher with your entry tickets when visiting the attraction. Your e-voucher is seasonal and is only valid until 2 November 2024.

Children information

  • Children under 3 years old can access free of charge Castle Howard.
  • Children under 17 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult.
  • Pushchairs are not permitted in the House.
  • There are baby-changing facilities in the House, Boathouse and Courtyard toilets.
  • Bikes, children’s scooters or other similar ‘transport’ toys are not allowed on the grounds due to the amount of pedestrian visitors.
  • Ball games with small children are welcome on the North Front space only, not in any other areas of the gardens or near buildings and sculptures.

Accessibility information

  • Assistance dogs are allowed.

  • Registered carers or companions can visit for free when accompanying a paying adult. Please bring with you evidence of your status.

  • Please contact us before booking should you require further accessibility information regarding the castle.

Ticket restrictions

  • This e-voucher is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Additional information

  • A Digital Guide is available, you can access it on your device by scanning a QR code in the House Entrance. 
  • Visits are self-guided and include access to various rooms and halls in the beautiful 300-year-old house.
  • We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and dress according to the weather conditions.

Guests can visit Castle Howard at any time during opening hours.

  • Duration:
  • Allow 30 minutes from arrival in the car park to accommodate the walk down to the house.

The regular opening times at the Castle are the following:

House

  • Open daily 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (last entry at 3:00 pm)
  • The House opens at 10.30 am on Thursdays

Gardens and Grounds

  • Gardens and Skelf Island Adventure Playground: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last entry at 4:00 pm).

Food and drink

  • Coffee Shop: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
  • Courtyard Café: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (Last food orders are 4:00 pm).
  • Boathouse Café: 10.30 am - 4.30 pm.
  • Fitzroy Café: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Shopping

  • Farm Shop: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

House Gift Shop: 10am - 4pm
Garden Centre: 10am - 5pm

How to get there

  • Address: Castle Howard Estate, York YO60 7DA, England, United Kingdom.
  • Nearest train station: York (walk to Castleline bus stop 
    Stonebow SB and get off at the Castle Howard Gardens stop) and Malton.
  • Directions by car: Castle Howard is just 15 miles North East of York and is easily accessible from the A64 which connects Leeds, York and the Yorkshire Coast.

Frequently asked questions

  • What film was filmed at Castle Howard?

    • Castle Howard has featured in both large and small scale film and television productions:
      • ‘Lady L’ with Sophia Loren in 1965
      • ‘Barry Lyndon’ directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1975.
      • The iconic ‘Brideshead Revisited’ in 1981 and 2008.
      • The BBC’s ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’ in 2013
      • ITV’s ‘Victoria’ and the Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Four out of Five’ Music video in 2018

  • Who currently lives in Castle Howard?

    • Wife of Nicholas Howard, Victoria and Nicholas run Castle Howard today.

  • What children can expect to find in the Skelf Island Adventure Playground?

    • Skelf Island, our legendary Adventure Playground is named after the historic site Castle Howard sits on, Henderskelfe.

    • Throughout the school holidays, you might encounter the faerie-like creatures that live in the canopies and crooks of Skelf Island, known as Skelves, they’re a friendly and curious bunch that loves to play!

    • For centuries the Skelves have inhabited a secret world, over the water from Castle Howard, causing mischief and mayhem high up in the trees, interacting with birds and protecting wildlife.

    • They’re curious about humans too and want to explore and play with them. Join them in the treetops of Yorkshire’s most magical adventure playground, Skelf Island.

Supplier information

This product is sold by VisitBritain Shop and provided by Castle Howard Estate Ltd.

Upon booking you will receive an instant order confirmation via email from VisitBritain including a link to download your e-voucher. You can download it to your mobile phone or print it out to show when you arrive. This e-voucher can be used until the end of the season: 2 November 2024. This product is non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

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