The 'Brideshead Revisited' Filming Location Worth Visiting In January: Inside Castle Howard

By way of observing Christmas 2025, I rummaged through my Letterboxd to find that perfect synthesis of dark academia, Victorian Gothicism and Yuletide spirit: three strains of mood and genre that the back of December masterfully accommodates. The search presented me with the pick of ‘Brideshead Revisited’ (1981), a British TV mini series in 11 parts based on a novel by Evelyn Waugh. Remarkable as it is, as a consequence of the fresh perusal and effect of ‘Brideshead Revisited,’ some niche recesses of the internet weaved around the masterful series are now part of my internet history. Among these queries that now make my digital footprint, there's one that I wouldn't be anxious of getting public. Not only would I not be anxious but I'll take this opportunity to share this fandom-led finding with the readers: the sole discovery of Castle Howard of York, an English Baroque affair that is the backdrop of most of ‘Brideshead Revisited.’

Arising from UK cinema, a few destinations enjoy an enviable reputation for their tourist footfall. Scotland's Glenfinnan Viaduct, forever enshrined as the site of that annual trip on the track to Hogwarts in ‘Harry Potter,’ or the Alnwick Castle from ‘Harry Potter,’ or the instantly recognisable Highclere Castle of Hampshire from ‘Downtown Abbey,’ are among those. The mention of Castle Howard from the relatively less watched ‘Brideshead Revisited’ hardly ever causes such a stir. More importantly, although quite the historic site in England, it fails to figure prominently in the lists one finds ranking on a simple Google result. When it does appear, for it has also been the backdrop, I'm told, for ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Victoria,’ it comes as a blink-and-miss.

To give you a brief lowdown, sites such as Highclere Castle in England—immortalised by ‘Downton Abbey’—and Alnwick Castle, forever tethered to the ‘Harry Potter’ films, draw an annual footfall of roughly 350,000–500,000 and 500,000-plus visitors respectively. By comparison, Castle Howard, on the outskirts of York, records a more modest yet still substantial 250,000–270,000 visitors a year. To be sure, while the former two have been far more aggressively conspicuous through their filmic afterlives, Castle Howard remains comparatively esoteric; and yet, for all its quieter screen associations, it continues to command a healthy footfall driven not so much by its cinematic recognition as by enduring historical curiosity and architectural magnanimity.

A History Of Castle Howard

The history of Howard Castle is matched only by the grandeur of its edifice. The castle was commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle and designed between 1699 to 1702. Ever since then, eight generations of the Howard family have lived and loved within the vast premises of the baronial house, each bringing distinct characteristics to the stewardship. During his time, the Earl deputed his friend, the dramatist John Vanbrugh, for the construction of the castle who, having no real vocation in architecture, recruited Nicholas Hawksmoor to assist him in the practical portions of buildings.

The house that was then dreamed up was of no little relevance to posterity. It survives as one of the earliest examples of landscape architecture and conflates various design elements that encapsulate the transition from feudal landscapes to more complex and metaphorical spaces. Standing in what is known in the UK as 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (a protected landscape in the UK recognised for its exceptional beauty, designated to conserve and enhance its natural character, and now often called a 'National Landscape'), the estate features a mesmerising combination of architectural and natural elements, including the house, gardens, and woodlands. It was the mastery of the blueprint of its design that brought together architecture, agriculture and forestry, making for a cohesive landscape rather than a cluster of buildings: a remarkably visionary feat for its time. British architecture writer, Christopher Hussey, went so far as to call the Castle Howard an “original” conception of “landscape architecture”; all in all “a sublime Elysium.”

The house was still incomplete when Nicholas Hawksmoor died in the year 1726. It still lacked its west wing and its mausoleum owing to the attention put to landscaping the vast gardens. It is noted that while Hawksmoor hoped for the mausoleum to reflect the classic sensibilities found in the Roman Tomb of Caecilia Metella. Horace Walpole, the famous English writer and politician, is noted to have quipped about Hawksmoor's design of the mausoleum that it was “the kind of building which would tempt one to be buried alive.” Nevertheless, the project faced much antagonism in its time from the neo-Palladian critics such as Sir Thomas Robinson and the Earl of Burlington. Sir Thomas Robinson, Lord Carlisle's son-in-law, represented the Burlingtonian side who preferred a more fashionable Corinthian order. Walpole also notes that Sir Thomas and Vanbrugh, the playwright, were such enemies that they would be 'spitting and swearing at one another.' In the end as Hawksmoor shuffled his mortal coil, the Burlington group had their way and implemented their style in the Mausoleum's final features.

Architecture That Eludes Categorisation

Such was the brilliance of Castle Howard,  celebrated in the aforequoted poem titled “Castle Howard” by Lady Irvine, daughter of Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, who commissioned the estate. As already delineated, Castle Howard, built over a century, is a magnificent cross between bold Renaissance and Baroque motifs and later Palladian refinements.

Emblematic and instantly recognisable from a distance, the mansion's dramatic 70-foot central dome crowns the Great Hall, a vast three-storey interior space bedecked with a fresco of The Fall of Phaeton. Flanking it are richly extensive state rooms such as the Long Gallery, Music Room and Chapel, each showcasing exquisite period furniture, portraits and classical sculpture. The interiors, it is said, were once painted by Venetian artists like Giovanni Pellegrini. If you happen to watch the series 'Brideshead Revisited,' you'll get a fair glimpse to the ornate and opulent corners of the castle, for instance, the vast hothouse, the walls of which are painted by the protagonist, Charles Ryder (Jeremy Irons), or the Chinese Room or the Queen's Bedroom that Lord Marchmain (Michael Gambon) orders to be prepared for him to occupy.

Countless attractions dot Castle Howard: marble altar from the Temple of the Oracle at Delphi as well as the bed in which Queen Victoria slept during her visit in 1850 among them. It was the 4th Earl who travelled extensively across Italy in 1738 and brought back several antiques that are now treasured in the Antique Passage. Even in the Chapel Lobby, you will come across several objects that are no less than curiosities to be confronted with.

An earthly paradise from most descriptions, set in the 1,000 acres of parkland, the gardens and grounds of it are as integral as the house itself. The Walled Garden and delightfully scented rose gardens draw summer visitors, while Ray Wood, a woodland garden of rhododendrons, magnolias and exotic species, offers a serene contrast to the broad vistas of the South and North lakes.

As a visitor to Castle Howard, you will also have the chance to see the Temple of the Four Winds, influenced by Palladio's Villa Rotonda. The family Mausoleum, built to cater the 3rd Earl’s desire to be buried near his beloved home is another beautiful structure. Ornamental features like the elegant Atlas Fountain further animate the lakeside, while follies such as pyramids, obelisks and the historic New River Bridge enrich the visitor experience.

The Great Fire

A horrific fire engulfed a part of Castle Howard in November of 1940, damaging the estate extensively. The East Wing and State Rooms, among others, were severely affected with the central dome collapsing. Notable artworks by Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini and other masters were lost, including the Fall of Phaethon.

In the immediate aftermath, the family faced the stark possibility that the house might never be fully restored. Yet, over the following decades, successive generations committed themselves to its revival: the dome was painstakingly rebuilt and completed in 1962, while further restoration gathered momentum in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, aided in part by income generated from film and television productions. Incidentally, it is reported that the filming of 'Brideshead Revisited' at the Castle helped to pay for the reconstruction of the Garden Hall and New Library.

Recent conservation projects have continued this long process of recovery, reinstating lost interiors and returning previously ruined rooms to public view, ensuring that the scars of the fire have been met not with erasure, but with a careful, historically sensitive renewal.

Special Events And Seasonal Experiences At Castle Howard

Castle Howard remains a site of endless attraction throughout the year as it plays host to a plethora of special events that animate the historic house and grounds. During the winter festivities, the mansion turns into an immersive destination. The Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz event features themed installations, soundscapes, projections and life-size décor that bring L. Frank Baum’s world to life inside the house, while seasonal attractions such as Father Christmas in the Castle and a Santa’s Grotto in the Boathouse add to the holiday spirit. Other calendar highlights include natural environment events and guided walks through the estate’s rich landscape, offering visitors new ways to engage with both heritage and nature at Castle Howard.

A Final Note

Though I may not have been favoured with the privilege to wander and witness the heavenly charm of Castle Howard, I have forever lived by films and found myself appreciating gems encrusted in far flung places. Nevertheless, with the hindsight of having observed the British architecture dotting the Indian subcontinent, the extensive engagement with Castle Howard, through ‘Brideshead Revisited’ and online literature, brings but a line spoken by the Oxford dandy Anthony Blanche (Nickolas Grace) in the series: “It was charm again, my dear, simple, creamy English charm, playing tigers.”

The Information

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

Timings:

Gardens & Grounds: Daily from approx. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry around 4:00 pm)

House: Typically open to visitors from ~10:30 am with last admissions usually mid-afternoon; hours can vary by season and special events

Members-only early access: 9:00 am – 10:00 am for gardens and grounds

Cafés, Shops & Facilities: Generally open between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; individual outlet times vary

Closed: Christmas Day, and house may be closed earlier than gardens for events or private functions

Entry Fees:

House & Gardens:

Adult: GBP 27 (INR 2,800)

Child (4–16): GBP 13.50 (INR 1,400)

Under 4: Free

Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): GBP 70 (≈ ₹7,350)

Gardens & Grounds Only:

Adult:  GBP  17 ( INR 1,800)

Child (4–16): GBP  7.50 ( INR 800)

Under 4: Free

Seasonal / Special Events (e.g. Christmas at Castle Howard):

Adults: GBP  23–39.50 ( INR  2,400–4,150)

Children: GBP  11.50–19.75 (≈INR  1,200–2,100)

Sources:

• Castle Howard Official Website, Castle Howard Estate.

• Girouard, Mark. The English Baroque Country House: Castle Howard and Its Architecture. JSTOR, 1991.

• Harris, John. Landscape and Design at Castle Howard. JSTOR, 1984.

• Summerson, John. Historical Perspectives on English Baroque Architecture. JSTOR, 1992.

• Strong, Roy. Conservation and Restoration of Castle Howard. JSTOR, 1977.

FAQs

1. What films and TV shows have been shot at Castle Howard?

Castle Howard has served as the backdrop for 'Brideshead Revisited' (1981), 'Bridgerton,' and 'Victoria,' making it a must-visit for fans of British period drama and cinematic heritage.

2. Is Castle Howard open for winter visits after Christmas?

Yes, Castle Howard welcomes visitors year-round. While some festive events conclude after Christmas, the estate’s architecture, gardens, and grounds remain accessible for quieter winter exploration.

3. How many visitors does Castle Howard attract annually?

Castle Howard records around 250,000–270,000 visitors per year, making it less crowded than Highclere Castle or Alnwick Castle, yet still a major destination for history and film enthusiasts.

4. What are the must-see attractions at Castle Howard?

Visitors should explore the Great Hall with its fresco of The Fall of Phaeton, the Long Gallery, the Chapel, the Walled Garden, Ray Wood, the Temple of the Four Winds, and historic follies like pyramids and obelisks.

5. Why is Castle Howard historically significant?

Commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle in the early 1700s, Castle Howard is a landmark of English Baroque and landscape architecture, designed by John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, combining art, architecture, and expansive parkland.