Everyone is welcome at Castle Howard. Read our Access Guides, which contain detailed information about each part of Castle Howard to help you plan your visit. If there is information we haven't included which you would expect to see here, or if you have a question, please email house@castlehoward.co.uk, or call 01653 648333.
Stable Courtyard Access GuideHouse Access GuideBoathouse Access GuideCar and coach parking Access GuideGarden Centre Access GuideGardens Access GuideGrounds Access GuideChristmas Marquee Access GuideLakeside Holiday Park Access Guide
Car Parking - Free parking on hard surface is available to all visitors, with designated bays for Blue Badge holders at the front of the car park. (Parking is chargeable at Christmas, except for Blue Badge holders.)
Free Admission for Essential Carers - Essential carers are admitted free of charge. Book a Carers ticket where applicable.
Outside Surfaces - A paved route in the Stable Courtyard provides access to the cafés, shops, toilets & Ticket Office. See more details in the Access Guides.
House Stair Lift - Wheelchair users (under 225kg) are able to use our House stair lift which takes visitors to the main floor of the House and to the majority of the rooms. Electric wheelchair / scooter users will need to transfer into a manual wheelchair to use the House stair lift and we have plenty of manual wheelchairs which can be borrowed if required. We regret that access to the High South and Chapel is restricted, information on these areas is available to view in portfolios from within the House.
Translations - An overview of the House tour is available in a selection of languages and can be collected on arrival or downloaded in advance.
Large Print/Braille Information - A large print version of this information is available from the House Entrance Ticket Office; as are Braille information sheets.
Kelly Car Land Train - We offer free transport from the Courtyard Ticket Office to the House and Boathouse Café & Adventure Playground during our regular House Opening Period (April to December). The Kelly Car can accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs and our driver will assist visitors getting on and off the vehicle. Please note, only Assistance Dogs are permitted.
During the Christmas period, the Kelly Car is known as the The Christmas Express land train, and is due to run daily. The Christmas Express land train is wheelchair-accessible.
Hearing Loop - A hearing loop is located in the Ticket Office.
Assistance Dogs - Assistance dogs are welcome in the House, Grounds, Shops and Cafés, and on the Kelly Car.
Manual Wheelchairs - We have manual wheelchairs which can be borrowed to use in the Grounds and the House. They can be collected from the Courtyard Ticket Office or at the House entrance. There is no need to pre-book a wheelchair, we have plenty available.
Toilet Facilities - There are adapted toilets in the Stable Courtyard, in the House and at the Boathouse Café. See the Access Guides for more information.
Pushchairs - Pushchairs are not permitted in the House, but can be stored in a pushchair holding area in the House Entrance. At Christmas, we have a dedicated Buggy Park in the Christmas Marquee vestibule. 'Hip-seats' can be borrowed to assist in carrying children (6 months - 3 years old) through the House.
Portable Oxygen Tanks - If you use portable oxygen tanks, these are very welcome in the House. At Christmas we have a number of open fires, which can pose as a hazard to oxygen tank users. We request you do not utilise your equipment near the open fires. Please contact our team during your visit, or in advance, if you need more specific guidance.
Christmas Season Only: Christmas Marquee (Emporium and Café) – Level access to the House is via the North Marquee door and House Gift Shop. The Marquee entrance is equipped with two sets of double doors – the South Front doors are not automatic and open outwards, the North Front doors are automatic. Please ask a member of staff in the Gift Shop for level access assistance through to the visitor route.
Book Tickets
Tactile Bags We kindly ask you not to touch the sculptures. Bags containing wood, glass and bronze materials are available for anyone who would benefit from touching the materials the sculptures are made from. Please ask a Visitor Assistant inside the House or ask the Ticket Office if you’re just visiting the Gardens. Make sure to return the bag so someone else can make use of it.
Tours All Tony Cragg Exhibition Tours are outdoors and indoors and will require participants to be on their feet for the duration. The tours will access gravel and tarmacked terrain. The Sculpture Tour led by Castle Howard Curators, 14th August, is British Sign Language-interpreted.
Full Tony Cragg at Castle Howard FAQs can be found here