This post is based on my original entry on Visiting Houses and Gardens: http://visitinghousesandgardens.wordpress.com
As autumn creeps upon us and the chill starts to bite, many country houses have started to close their doors, preparing for a good deal of housekeeping during the winter months.
If you followed the BBC’s recent documentary on the National Trust’s Petworth House (Petworth House: The Big Spring Clean) you’ll have had an insight into how much happens while the doors are locked.
However, some of us still fancy visiting country estates, to see the crops being stored, hear fires crackling and smell Christmas in the form of a grand tree in the entrance hall.
Castle Howard is therefore a good option for kindred souls. Their Christmas opening is from 26 November to 18 December. I would then suggest you go back each season and see it in all its changing glory – Castle Howard really does have something to offer for every season.
Castle Howard is an ego house: a gigantic lump of baroque designed at the end of the 17th century by John Vanbrugh (his very first design!) and built for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle, a man who intended to become prominent on the 18th century political playing field and have a house to match. I’m sure when you visit you will not be surprised to learn that Castle Howard took over 100 years to build!
Owned by a company since the 1950s, while remaining a family house Castle Howard is very much a business: a day at Castle Howard will entertain you.
Comprising the house itself, a garden centre, farm shop and courtyard full of purchasing opportunities, walled garden, lake, fountain and woodland walks, there’s plenty to do. There’s a cafe on the ground floor of the house and a tractor bus taking visitors down from the courtyard to the house.
For a late autumn trip I suggest the woodland wall and kicking through the leaves. Children and Peter Pan adults will enjoy it alike.
Tragedy
On 9 November 1940 fire broke out at Castle Howard in the south-east Wing. The fire destroyed the dome and nearly 20 rooms, leaving swathes of Castle Howard unroofed throughout the 1940s & 50s. The collection of china was heard to explode like “fire-crackers” in the heat.
Look out for the cracks on the entrance hall floor where debris smashed to the floor.
However, there’s still some splendid interiors and do look out for the Bellotti examples (Canaletto’s nephew).
In 1960-62 the dome was rebuilt and when I last visited in 2010, for the first time I saw inside the gutted but now re-roofed rooms. It was wonderful to see the proportions of the interiors. Reason enough to go back if you haven’t been there since they opened?
If you are in Yorkshire this winter you might also like to know that Harewood House is open throughout the season – at only £5 per car to visit the gardens that’s got to be worth a trip out!
Website: http://www.castlehoward.co.uk
