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Britain’s ‘most famous country house’ has revealed its official reopening date following major restoration

One room at Castle Howard which was destroyed by a fire in 1940 has been revived to its full splendour

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
Castle Howard
Photograph: Sian Nichol | |
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At more than 300 years old, Castle Howard in York is arguably Britain’s most famous country house (although Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House might have something to say about that). It’s starred in the likes of Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited and, yes, was the family home of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII’s fifth wife.

A number of rooms at the stately home have been empty shells since 1940, when the house was hit by a huge fire. The fire destroyed Castle Howard’s dome and more than 20 rooms, but over the years parts of the building have gradually been restored. Now, its latest renovation is set to be revealed to the public in the spring.

Castle Howard’s ‘21st Century Renaissance’ is opening to the public on April 25. At the centre will be the unveiling of its restored Tapestry Drawing Room, which has been brought back to its full splendour for the first time since it was hit by the fire.That means that the four beautiful bespoke tapestries that originally hung in the room, made in 1706, have been reintroduced. 

Restoration of Castle Howard Tapestry Drawing Room
Photograph: Tom Arbor

Later down the line, visitors will get to see the building’s renovated Long Gallery and Grand Staircase, plus a complete rehang and redisplay of its entire collection of paintings, sculptures and tapestries. Those will open to the public in 2026, ahead of the 300th anniversary of Sir John Vanbrugh’s death (that’s the architect who designed both Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace).  

Restoration of the Grand Staircase at Castle Howard
Photograph: Tom Harbor

Simon Thurley, a history and ex-chief executive of English Heritage, said: ‘Magical, romantic, monumental - Castle Howard can lay claim to many superlatives, but every few generations a wave of the wand of taste has renewed and revived its charms.

‘If anyone doubted the ability of this greatest of houses to be reborn for a new generation, they should come and admire the sensitive but confident way the state rooms have been brought back to life. It is a remarkable achievement, worthy of the ambitions of Castle Howard’s first builder and designers some 350 years ago.’

Did you see that Time Out named Castle Howard one of the best places for family holidays in the UK?

Plus: The world’s 25 most ‘at risk’ heritage sites have been named – and one is in the UK

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