CASTLE HOWARD
Yorkshire Grand Palace and Gardens
Castle
Howard in Yorkshire, is
one of the most impressive private homes in England, used in the recent
film version
of "Brideshead Revisited" for its most English of classic
grand baronial family manors. It is located
about 25 minutes north of the city of York, set in one
thousand acres of gardens and woodlands
grounds. While not the moated walled variety of castle, but rather
one of the best examples of 18th Century baroque palaces still in personal
family hands
in Britain after Blenheim (see Blenheim
Palace Oxfordshire). The Howard
family, whose past members include Catherine Howard (a cousin) Henry
VIII’s first wife. The house as it now stands was built by Sir
John Vanburg and is lived in as a private residence by decendents of
the Howard Family, the Honorable Simon and Mrs. Howard and children.
The mansion suffered a devasting fire in 1940 and parts are still being
restored today, including plans for a luxury hotel accomodation
in a remaining wing.
The
interior areas of Castle Howard are a unique mix of museum furnishings,
paintings, glorious arching halls
and grand marble staircases, mixed
with family portraits and momentoes. Tours of the house are given from
11 am to 4 pm by history guides with special subject exhibitions from
March to November. From the 24th of November to the 16th of December
the family present’s “Christmas at Castle Howard” when
the manor sparkles with holiday decorations, yule entertainment and visits
from Father Christmas. The
grounds and spectacular gardens of Castle Howard are open all year with
winding paths that lead to hidden
stone temples, statues, lakes
and fountains. The Stable Courtyard of Castle Howard is maintained as
an example of how historic building can be maintained, while serving
a purpose for modern visitors. Estate grown produce and goods with the
Castle Howard label can be purchased in the Farm Shop. The Walled Garden
adjacent to the courtyard houses a plant and tree nursery from 300 years
of horitcultural history dubbed as “Britain’s Poshest Garden
Centre”.
The
Hidden Secrets of Castle Howard are a series of new tours uncovering
some of the properties
hidden features.
These tours must be pre-booked
and cost £10 over the standard admission ticket. Admission grounds
and gardens of Castle Howard and to the house are separate, though can
be combined. The Stable Courtyard shops, Plant Center and Tea shop from
the parking area is free. Check the website for ticket prices to the
house and grounds. There are cafes and a restaurant on the grounds ranging
from snacks to full service menus.
You can camp at Castle Howard at the Lakeside
Holiday Park for tents
and caravans. It's located across the lake with a view of the manor house.
A good base for exploring
from the city of York to the North Yorkshire Moors park and the coast.
Guests at the holiday park guests get free admission to the Stable
Courtyard and the shops. Admission to the castle and gardens is
separate. For a trip to Castle Howard
from York, you can purchase a combined entrace and Coastliner Bus
ticket from the
York Visitor Information Center from April to through September. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Castle Howard
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See Also
WALKING YORK'S WALLS
YORK GHOST WALKS AND DUNGEONS
BRITAIN FAMILY ANCESTRY TRAVEL
DALEMAIN MANOR AND GARDENS - LAKE DISTRICT
