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Location Filming

Castle Howard welcomes filming and photography requests and has starred in many productions.

Castle Howard has regularly been used as a location for film and television productions, its interiors and gardens featuring in numerous on-screen guises, from centre stage in the 1981 series of Brideshead Revisited to appearances in period dramas like The Buccaneers and Death Comes to Pemberley and Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton.

Find out more about Castle Howard on film

Filming your project at Castle Howard

The building of Castle Howard began in 1699 and took more than one hundred years to complete. It is a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture, and the House comprises a central block crowned by a huge dome and two projecting wings.

The interiors have been fashioned and decorated over the centuries and include grand spaces like the Great Hall and Long Gallery, intimate drawing rooms and bedchambers, as well as long corridors and a spectacular Arts & Crafts chapel.

The building also has below-stairs spaces, hidden stairwells, cellars, and even a burnt-out wing from the fire of 1940. Many of these interiors have featured in moments of high drama or as spectacular backdrops for characters in costume dramas ranging from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The monumental appearance of Castle Howard is deceptive, it is a very versatile building!

Castle Howard is not just a grand mansion house, it is also a magnificent landscape, something that is first apparent from the dramatic approach to the House, and as revealed from looking out of any window. The outdoors, set in the rolling Howardian Hills, comprises gardens, lakes, fountains, woods, farmland, and a host of extraordinary monuments including statues, a temple, pyramid and mausoleum. Moreover, each season brings a different character and colour to the landscape.

The extensive grounds are also ideal for conveniently accommodating all necessary infrastructure such as production units, transportation hubs, and equipment and plant storage.

If you are considering Castle Howard for the location of your television programme, film, drama or photo shoot please email your proposal to our Events and Filming Manager, Angie Alle.

Contact Angie

Download our Filming Brochure

Castle Howard - Filming Brochure

CastleHoward-Filming.pdf (1.1MB)

Location Filming Guidelines

These guidelines are for professional, commercial or broadcast filming and photography, and do not apply to paying visitors filming or taking photographs for their personal use.

Filming and photography are encouraged at Castle Howard, not only in the house, but also in the gardens and on the wider estate. However, there are parameters within which this must take place and below is an overview of our policy.

Prior consent must be obtained from the Press Office before any filming or commercial photography is carried out on the Castle Howard Estate, this includes filming using an unmanned aircraft (drone). Those filming or photographing without permission may be asked to leave.
ID should be worn at all times during any filming or photography work.
On occasion where prior consent has not been agreed with the Press Office, admittance will be at the discretion of the Ticket Office staff on production of relevant ID.
A contract will be drawn up by Castle Howard and signed by both parties before any filming or photography takes place. A location fee is usually applicable.
Written permission must be sought in advance for filming or photography at Castle Howard. All principals should plan to do a preliminary reconnaissance of Castle Howard at least one month in advance of filming or photography. Prior to any agreement, Castle Howard must be provided with a proposed schedule (including preferred locations for filming and required areas for support units) and a copy of the film/TV company/photographer’s insurance details.
During our open season (March to December) the needs of visitors take priority at all times. In exceptional circumstances we may be able to close parts of the house or gardens to accommodate filming or photography. Events occur at Castle Howard all year round, so there may be days when we cannot allow filming or photography. There are a number of technical restrictions when filming inside the house on account of delicate art works.
Castle Howard is a family home, so access is only allowed as directed by a member of the Castle Howard staff. If access to non-public areas of the house is required then permission must be received in advance. Film crews or photographers must be identified and will be accompanied by a member of Castle Howard staff at all times while on site.
Please note that filming or photography anywhere on the Castle Howard Estate comes under these guidelines. These guidelines are for professional, commercial or broadcast filming and photography, and do not apply to paying visitors filming or taking photographs for their personal use.