Contact Castle Howard by calling 01653 648333 to speak with a person in the Visitor Information department at the Estate Office.
About Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a private residence in North Yorkshire. The Howard family has owned the property for over 300 years. It is not actually a castle, but a country house built on a former castle site. The building took more than 100 years to complete after work began in 1699. The house has almost 150 rooms, and is surrounded by extensive gardens and a lake. Yorkshire Arboretum is also located on the estate. Castle Howard is a Grade I listed building which has been a featured location in films and television, most memorably as Brideshead in the 1981 and 2008 adaptations of Evelyn Waugh’s novel Brideshead Revisited. The large estate even had its own train station from 1845 until the 1950s.
There is plenty to do at Castle Howard, especially for families. There are exhibitions displaying the art and history at Castle Howard, and visitors can book private talks and walks with the curatorial team to gain access to more than the public usually gets to see. Around 1,000 acres of landscaped gardens, flowers, and woodland create beautiful views at any time of year. Discover statues, the Mausoleum, and the Temple of the Four Winds on your walks. There is a playground as well as special activities for children. Either have your own picnic or visit the restaurant, the coffee shop, or one of the two cafes. There are 4 shops across the site which sell exclusive artisan gifts, plants, and food items.
Castle Howard Opening Times
The Castle Howard estate and visitor ticket office open to the public at 10am each day. Guests can access the grounds and gardens from this time, with final admissions at 5pm. Entry to the house itself begins at 10.30am. The free flow tour closes at either 3pm or 4pm. Afterwards, there are guided tours at 3.30pm and 4pm. Generally, all restaurants and shops are open between 10am and 5pm, though some may open or close earlier or later on certain days. Sometimes the house will be closing early for private events like weddings, so check beforehand.
Access to both the house and gardens is granted in exchange for an admission fee. This is £18.95 per adult and £9.95 per child aged 4-16. There is a concession rate of £17.50 for students and those over 60 or with a disability. Family tickets are also available to make it cheaper for families of 4 or 5. For lower prices, you can access the gardens only. It costs £11.95 per adult, £7.95 per child, and £11 for concessions. Group bookings for 12 or more people come with discounted admission and other benefits. Frequent visitors could make the most of a Friends of Castle Howard annual paid membership at either Gold or Silver level.
Contacting Castle Howard
Call the information office at Castle Howard on 01653 648333 if you need to check something regarding your upcoming visit to the stately home. Otherwise, e-mail your queries to house@castlehoward.co.uk. Get help with booking day trips and tours involving Castle Howard via partner tour operators. If you have a filming or photography request, you must contact press@castlehoward.co.uk in advance. Regarding weddings and private events, e-mail hospitality@castlehoward.co.uk. To enquire about career opportunities, e-mail hr@castlehoward.co.uk. Arrange a group booking by e-mailing groups@castlehoward.co.uk, or discuss Friends of Castle Howard at marketing@castlehoward.co.uk. You can find Castle Howard at the address below, or post letters here:
The Estate Office
Castle Howard
York
YO60 7DA