Castle Howard
York, Yorkshire
Castle Howard is a beautiful stately home located in North Yorkshire; this wonderfully grand home was designed by architect Sir John Vanbrugh in his English Baroque style. The home was commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle (Charles Howard) in 1699 and in 1701, the building began. Then, 110 years and 3 Earls later, Castle Howard was complete in 1811.
The amazing stately home contains 145 rooms and is beautifully ornate throughout. You will also find the incredible Atlas Fountain within the grounds, which was commissioned in 1850 and designed by William Andrew Nesfield; the wonderfully sculpted figures were carved from Portland Stone by John Thomas.
There are 2 lakes at Castle Howard: The Great Lake and the South Lake. The Great Lake is located to the North of the house and you will find the Boathouse Café, which is fully equipped with picnic tables. In the same area, the children will be delighted to find the Skelf Island Adventure Playground (the garden ticket includes admission), with no age restrictions it is perfect for the big kids too. To the South of the property is the appropriately named ‘South Lake’ and the Prince of Wales Fountain, installed in the 1850s by the 5th Earl.
Another beautiful feature of the grounds is the charmingly arranged ‘Walled Garden’, where you will find Rose Gardens and the Vegetable Garden. This wonderfully serene environment makes for a pleasant wander through appealing arches, surrounded by a fascinating array of flowers.
Nearby attractions: The Shambles and York Minster.
Prices
House and Garden Tickets:
Adult – £22
Child (4-16) – £12
Under 4 – FREE
Family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £65
Family Ticket ( 1 adult and up to 3 children) – £43
Garden Only Ticket:
Adult – £12.95
Child (4-16) – £8.50
Under 4 – FREE
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) – £34.50
Family Ticket (1 adult and up to 3 children) – £21.50
Tickets for the house and gardens are available at the Castle Howard website.
**Prices correct as of June 2021**
Things to take with you
Castle Howard is the perfect location for a picnic and are fully equipped with picnic tables and plenty of grass areas to set up. So here are my top picks:
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