STUNNING architecture, history, woodland and lakeside walks await at Castle Howard this autumn.
But on top of its year-round attractions, the 900-year-old stately home is hosting a number of special events that will appeal to all the family.
Visitors can embrace the spookier side of Castle Howard with an exclusive tour around the Mausoleum or pick your own pumpkins in time for Halloween. Here is a taste of the activities to come:
*Castle Howard Garden Centre Pumpkin Patch: explore the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin. Whether small, medium, or large, there are varying sizes and colours for carving and decorating. It runs until October 31 from 10am-5pm. The Pumpkin Patch is free to attend. The cost of pumpkins to take home varies.
*House Pumpkin Trail: help Castle Howard find a gaggle of pesky pumpkins hiding around the house. Younger visitors and their families are invited to take part in the Pumpkin Trail and spot the hidden pumpkins.
Date/times: Tuesday October 8 to Thursday October 31, 10am-5pm Cost: included with entrance ticket.
*Spooky Afternoon Tea and Q&A with Helena Garcia. Great British Bake-Off star Helena, much loved for her gothic bakes, has created this spook-tacular afternoon tea just for Castle Howard. Visitors can enjoy delectable treats in the historic Grecian Hall hosted by Helena, who will be signing her cookbooks and answering questions about her time in the famous Bake Off tent.
Date: Saturday October 12, 2pm-4:30pm; more Spooky Afternoon Tea sittings, Sunday October 13, 12pm-3pm Cost: £25 -£65.
*Halloween Storytime and Bath Bomb Workshop with Helena Garcia.
Join Helena for a reading of her children’s book, ‘My Mummy is a Witch’, a wonderfully witchy story told through the eyes of a little witchling, followed by a crafty and hands-on bath bomb-making workshop for little ones.
This Halloween experience will take place in Castle Howard’s historic Grecian Hall, inside the main house. Your ticket includes access to the gardens, including the award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground. It is suitable for children ages 4-8, who must be supervised.
Date/times: Saturday October 12, 11am. Cost: included in entrance ticket.
*Outdoor Adventure Cinema: Castle Howard has a spook-tacular line up of Halloween films planned for October. Wrap up, bring a cosy blanket, and enjoy a frighteningly fun selection of Halloween classics. Screenings include The Lost Boys, Hocus Pocus and The Witches.
Date/times: Friday October 25- Sunday October 27 ranging from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Cost: from £16.98.
For more details visit adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/castle-howard
*The Great Pumpkin Adventure with the Skelves: the pesky Skelves of Skelf Island are performing a brand-new play this half-term. Join them on a an adventure full of magic and mischief. Watch the show at the Skelf Island Adventure Playground.
Date/times:
Wednesday October 30-Sunday November 3, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm. Cost: included with entrance ticket.
*Helios in the Great Hall: HELIOS is a story about the son of the Greek God of the Sun. It transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth.
This unique performance will take place underneath the dome in Castle Howard’s Great Hall; the dome mural, painted by 18th century Venetian painter Antonio Pellegrini, depicts Fall of Phaeton which is the thematic inspiration behind the show.
Date/times: Thursday October 17, 5pm & 7:30pm Cost: £25 for members, £30 for standard entry.
*Mausoleum Tour: enjoy a rare chance to visit the spectacular 18th century Mausoleum, described as one of the finest buildings of its kind in northern Europe.
These experiences give a rare opportunity for visitors to enjoy private areas of the estate on foot, walking through more than 300 years of history in this spectacular 18th-century landscape.
Date/times: 19th October Cost: Adult £50, Silver Member £28.00, Gold Member £15.00. Pre-booking required.
*Enjoy access to the House, parkland, Gardens, Adventure Playground and a range of other exclusive benefits and events by becoming a Gold or Silver Member of Castle Howard.
*For more information on these events, entry costs, opening times and more visit castlehoward.co.uk/whatson
*Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
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