A Sunny Sunday at the Historic Castle Howard

Fittingly billed as a place like no other, Castle Howard is one of our family’s favourite haunts in Yorkshire, spanning a splendid House, glorious gardens, enchanting adventure playgrounds, and a glistening lake, all enveloped within its many acres. The site is also dotted with excellent restaurants, cafes and shops, which collectively never fail to uplift us, and last Sunday was no different.

Excitingly, after a number of years of planning, Castle Howard’s 21st Century Renaissance has been revealed and we enjoyed a tour there during our visit.

The once-in-a-generation transformation includes the unveiling of the lost Tapestry Drawing Room, now restored to its 18th-century grandeur following a devastating fire in 1940, incorporating a new cornice, frieze and Baroque-style fireplace inspired by original features.

Within the walls of the House, we witnessed the bewitchingly beautiful restoration which used traditional heritage skills from craftspeople and artists, and I was of course taken with the famous dome in the Great Hall which depicts a mythological fresco of the Fall of Phaeton, at 70 feet high no less.

The story doesn’t feature in my new children’s book Greek Myths, Folktales and Legends for Scholastic UK (out in Sept) as it’s one I’ve not come across before, but twenty others do, some rare stories I unearthed during my research period. If I write a second volume, I must look into this story for possible inclusion!

The fresco, originally painted by Antonio Pellegrini, was also lost in the fire but was recreated by Scott Medd in the 1960s. The dome also features a lantern and gallery with eight windows, allowing natural night to flood into the hall, illuminating the vast room with fireplaces and armchairs beneath.

You will simply marvel at the Howard Family’s former residence. Castle Howard was built on the site of the medieval castle of Henderskelfe, over 300 years ago. The family is descended from Lord William Howard, the youngest son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle (1679-1738) is famed as Castle Howard’s creator. Nine generations of the Howard family have occupied Castle Howard, each making their own personal mark on the House and grounds.

In 1699, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle asked the dramatist John Vanbrugh to build the castle. The House was built from east to west with the dramatic dome, the first of its kind to crown a private residence in England, added to teh design after the building work had already begun. The House took more than a hundred years to complete and spanned the lifetimes of three Earls and many architects and craftsmen. It really is a sight to behold.

Lunch was al fresco at the Courtyard Cafe nearby on site, which boasts locally sourced ingredients and a seasonal menu with something delicious for all tastes.

With British favourites of fish and chips, smoked salmon salad, flapjacks, and creamy ice cream to follow, everyone was full and happy, ready to roam the gardens and gift shops!

I purchased a pretty, turquoise One Hundred Stars jacket as well as sweet treats for the children, toys and trinkets. We do love a gift shop and with quintessentially British, mostly independent labels, it was a joy to stumble across local produce and brands we adore.

Having recently gotten my hands on my book, I took the chance to photograph it beside the bewitching Atlas Fountain. Atlas does feature within my pages, and I’ve fallen in love with this grand fountain which pulls me in on every visit.

We were so taken with the House and gardens, we missed the last boat trip across the lake, so will return to glide across it once more as it was a superb and incredibly tranquil experience for us all, last time.

This time, we strolled across the garden, amazed by the flowers in bloom!

As the balmy sun grew surprisingly brighter as we pivoted towards Magic Hour, we found welcome relief in the shade of the adventure playground, Skelf Island, enjoying peach tea and ice lollies in between climbing bridges and swinging across monkey bars, before catching the regular choo choo train up the hill to the castle’s entrance and we begrungingly left behind a perfect Sunday as the sun prepared to set.