Ticket Office 9am - 4pm
Gardens, Grounds and Skelf Island Adventure Playground Members Only: 9am - 10am All visitors: 10am - 4pm (last entry 3pm)
House Closed
Farm Shop 10am - 5pm
Garden Centre 10am - 4pm
Coffee Shop 9am - 5pm
Courtyard Cafe 9.30am - 5pm (last orders 4.30pm)
Buying TicketsTickets are available from the Ticket Office only during January 2025. Please purchase your tickets in person on your arrival.
Accepted Affiliate and Discount Schemes
Admission for all of our affiliate schemes can be redeemed on the day at the Ticket Office by presenting a valid membership card or proof of entitlement.
Skelf Island Adventure Playground
Please note, the Rope Bridge at Skelf Island Adventure Playground is currently closed for maintenance.
The House will reopen on Friday 18 April 2025. Tickets will be available to book soon, check here for more information in the coming weeks.
Visiting Castle Howard's Gardens and Adventure Playground Castle Howard is one of Britain’s finest stately homes, situated just outside York in the Howardian Hills. Built over 300 years ago by Sir John Vanbrugh, today it remains home to the Howard family. With 1,000 acres of parkland to explore, Castle Howard is a haven of peace and tranquility with extensive woodland walks, temples, lakes and fountains. The monumental landscape offers breathtaking views at every turn, taking in the countryside of the Howardian Hills. The Castle Howard Gardens are dog-friendly, but we ask all dogs to be kept on leads to protect our wildlife. Visit our award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground, our magical playground set on an island, to let off steam with little ones.Offer Details Castle Howard offered York Residents complimentary Gardens tickets. 500 tickets were made available over the weekend, with 250 available on the Saturday, and 250 available on the Sunday. Please note, these tickets have now sold out.Tickets
We will contact everyone who registered to confirm whether they have been successful or not. (If you are unsuccessful for free tickets, you are still welcome to visit and take advantage of the offers in our shops and cafes.)
If you have been successful in securing tickets: On the day of your visit we will check your name against those registered, and ask to see a valid York Card, student card or identity card that proves York residency on your arrival at the Ticket Office. If presenting an identity card, this must clearly state 'York' (e.g. driving licence or older person's bus pass). If you don't have any of the above, we would accept a utility bill with a York City postcode (YO10, YO24, YO31, YO32, YO19, YO23, YO26, YO30).Discounts in our Farm Shop and Courtyard Café Anyone visiting Castle Howard on 25th or 26th January can take advantage of these fantastic discounts. • Spend £30 at the Castle Howard Butcher in our Farm Shop and receive a free bottle of wine • 20% off children’s books and toys • 10% off all items in the Garden Centre • 10% off all hot food in the Courtyard Café and Boathouse Kitchen.
Group discounts available for bookings of 20 or more people, please visit our Group Visits page.
Find out about Group Visits
Download a copy of our visitor map and start planning your visit by clicking on the attachment below.