Castle Howard is magnificent mansion set in a dramatic location between two lakes and surrounded by beautiful gardens.
The house was built for Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle and is still occupied by his descendants.
Lord Carlisle commissioned Sir John Vanbrugh to design his house in 1699. It was the first architectural work by Vanbrugh and he and Lord Carlisle turned to Nicholas Hawksmoor, an assistant of Sir Christopher Wren, to put the ideas into practice. Work on the house began in 1701.
Vanbrugh placed the principal facades of the house to face north and south with splendid views.
The scale, the plan and the architectural detail of the house was unique.
The great central dome was the first to be built on a house and at the time even the dome of St. Paul's had not been built. The main body of the house was completed in 1712.
The West Wing was designed by Thomas Robinson, a son-in-law of Lord Carlisle and was built between 1753 - 1759.
The Great Hall is 66 feet high, stretching right up into the dome.
The enormous columns were carved by Samuel Carpenter and the wall paintings were by Pellegrini.
A series of sumptuous rooms lead from the Great Hall.
The Antique Passage displays antiquities collected in the 18th and 19th century by various earls of Carlisle, whilst the Long Gallery has a great number of family portraits including works by Van Dyck and Lely.
The Music Room contains a collection of works by the 9th Earl, a noted artist, and his friends.
The Chapel was altered by Admiral Edward Howard, Lord Lanerton between 1870 - 1875. It's beautiful stained glass windows were designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. It is still used for services.
Throughout the house the breathtaking rooms contain examples of furniture, porcelain, sculpture and works of art.
The collection of paintings is dominated by two portraits by Holbein of Henry VIII and the Duke of Norfolk. Other works include paintings by Rubens, Gainsborough and Reynolds.
Castle Howard is surrounded by 1,000 acres of grounds designed on a splendid scale.
Notable sights include the Temple of the Four Winds which was Vanbrugh's last work and the Mausoleum designed by Hawksmoor.
The Walled Garden has a collection of old and modern roses. The South Lake has restored waterworks with the Waterfall, Cascade and Prince of Wales Fountain.
2009: 16Mar-1Nov & 28Nov-20Dec House: 11:00-last entry 16:00. Gardens: 10:00-18:00 or dusk in winter. 22Dec 2008-15Mar & 2Nov-27Nov Gardens Only.
Tel: 01653 648444 Castle Howard Website
