A look at the history of Castle Howard, with Dr Emma Wells

Welcome to Yorkshire

History • August 1st, 2025

Rising from the gentle folds of the Howardian Hills National Landscape, Castle Howard appears less like a fortress and more like a fantasy conjured from stone. Despite its name, it is in fact not a medieval castle bristling with battlements, but one of England’s most dramatic country houses.

Its story begins at the close of the 17th century, when Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle imagined a home that would eclipse all others. To bring this vision to life, he turned not to an established architect but to his friend, John Vanbrugh, a dramatist. Despite having no formal training in architecture, Vanbrugh collaborated with the more experienced Nicholas Hawksmoor to create a bold vision that blended theatrical grandeur with classical formality.

Vanbrugh’s imagination, combined with the technical mastery of Hawksmoor, produced a masterpiece characterised by dramatic domes, ornate carvings, and sweeping façades. Construction began in 1699, but like many grand projects of its kind, the house was not completed in a single generation. It unfolded over a century, each phase adding new layers of style. The result was not a rigidly uniform building, but one that told a story of evolving tastes and fashion. The building’s symmetrical wings, arched colonnades, and richly decorated interiors reflect the influence of European Baroque, while later additions incorporated Palladian elements, softening with elegance and restraint.

Castle Howard has remained in the Howard family for over 300 years and has weathered both triumph and tragedy. A blaze in 1940 tore through the house, leaving its once-soaring lead-lined cupola caved in, and much of the majestic interior gutted and desolate. But the Howards, remarkably, chose to rebuild.

Beyond the house itself, Castle Howard’s estate is equally impressive. It features formal gardens, wooded areas, lakes, and classical monuments such as the Temple of the Four Winds and the Mausoleum.

Today, Castle Howard is open to the public. It has featured in numerous films and television series, including Brideshead Revisited, which further cemented its place in popular imagination. As both a private residence and a public treasure, Castle Howard stands as a testament to English architectural ambition, artistic vision, and the enduring legacy of its owners.

Address: Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA, United Kingdom