Quick answer
Castle Howard is a Baroque house near Malton, with Gardens, lakes and the Skelf Island Adventure Playground. From 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 the House is dressed for A Dickens of a Christmas. Book ahead: the Christmas page says all event tickets must be pre-booked, and its FAQ says walk-up entry is not guaranteed at busy times. The FAQ gives Dickens prices of £24 to £40 for adults and £12 to £20 for children, depending on date and time. Online bookings carry a 5.5% booking fee. The House is closed on Christmas Day.
Is it right for my child?
- A Dickens of a Christmas: Dickens’ novels are brought to life with projections, soundscapes and theatrical surprises, including Ebenezer Scrooge and “a ghost or two”.
- Age: the FAQ welcomes children of any age, but recommends it from 4+.
- Skelf Island: treetop nest structures connected by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment.
- Safety: the terms say children must be supervised by an adult at all times, including near the lakes and on the high playground. The playground closes after dark, and the House has open fires at Christmas.
- After dusk: Castle Howard asks visitors to take care walking between the car park, Boathouse and House. Some pathways are rutted.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Book everyone. The ticket terms say tickets must be booked for all persons attending, including Members, babes in arms and essential carers. The Members page exempts Members’ Gardens visits.
- Check House times for your date. The FAQ says the House often closes earlier than the Gardens.
- Arrive early: at least 15 minutes before your House or Grotto slot. Allow 30 minutes before a Father Christmas show, because latecomers are not admitted.
- Bikes and scooters: not allowed in the Grounds. The FAQ makes an exception for small scooters or balance bikes for under 5s, but the Skelf Island page allows only balance bikes.
Prices and tickets
- A Dickens of a Christmas: the tickets page says “From £24 (subject to a non-refundable booking fee)”. It includes the Gardens from first opening, given as 9.30am or 10am, although the opening table lists the Grounds from 9am on some dates.
- Child tickets are for ages 1 to 15. Babies under 12 months go free as Babe in Arms, but need a pre-booked ticket. Father Christmas and Grotto bookings also need a paying ticket.
- Christmas Gardens tickets: from £15 for adults, including Skelf Island, shops and cafés. The Walled Garden is closed for maintenance in the winter.
- Universal Credit: £6 per person for A Dickens of a Christmas and £4 for Gardens tickets. The maximum is two adults and two children from one household, with proof shown at the Ticket Office. Official pages differ on whether the Dickens tickets are on Yellow slots only or on Yellow and Blue slots.
- Essential carers go free, booked with other paid tickets. Bring evidence, such as an Essential Carers card, a Blue Badge, Carer’s Allowance or PIP.
- Changes: tickets are non-refundable. The terms allow one change of date and time, no less than 48 hours before your visit. Changes are subject to availability and may incur extra charges.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Pushchairs: pushchairs, prams and large rucksack-style carriers are not allowed in the House at Christmas. Leave them in the covered space in the Christmas Marquee.
- Carriers: small baby carriers and hip seats are available to borrow from the House entrance.
- Feeding: breastfeeding is welcome anywhere on site, and there is a quiet room at the House entrance. No food or drink is allowed in the House.
- Baby changing: in the House, Boathouse and Courtyard toilets.
Food and drink
The Christmas Marquee, attached to the House, serves homemade stone baked pizza, turkey rolls, soup, sandwiches, hot drinks and cakes.
Picnics are welcome in the Grounds, but barbecues are not allowed anywhere on the Estate.
Getting there and parking
- Address: Castle Howard, York, North Yorkshire, YO60 7DA.
- Parking: £7.25 per car at Christmas, subject to a booking fee, pre-booked with your tickets, unless you qualify for free parking. If you have not pre-booked, you may pay higher charges on the day.
- Free parking: the FAQ says Members (up to one car per booking) and Blue Badge holders do not pay. The terms say Members, Courtyard or Gardens-only visitors and Blue Badge holders receive one free space.
When to visit
Times vary by day. These rows were in the Christmas opening table on 13 November 2026.
- 16 to 20 and 23 to 26 November: grounds 9.30am to 5pm. The House opens at 10am, with last admission 3.30pm.
- 27 and 30 November, 1 to 4, 7 to 11 and 14 to 18 December: grounds 9.30am to 7pm. The House opens at 10am, with last admission 5.30pm.
- 14, 15, 21 and 22 November, and 26 December to 3 January: grounds 9am to 7pm. The House opens at 9.30am, with last admission 5.30pm.
- 28 and 29 November, 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 23 December: grounds 9am to 8.30pm. The House opens at 9.30am, with last admission 7pm.
- Christmas Eve: grounds 9am to 5pm, House last admission 3.30pm. Christmas Day: the table lists the House, Ticket Office, Courtyard Café and Coffee Shop as closed.
Father Christmas in the Castle runs on selected dates from 21 November to 24 December 2026. Tickets are from £60 for children and include the Gardens and House. It is recommended for age 4+, every booking needs a paying child ticket, and the maximum is two adults per booking. A 25-minute show is followed by a one-to-one moment with Father Christmas, and every child with a paid ticket receives a gift. Babe in Arms tickets get no gift. On 13 November the ticket shop listed dates from 22 November.
Santa’s Grotto in the Jellycat Shop runs on selected dates from 28 November to 24 December 2026, from £37.50. It does not include the Gardens or House. On 13 November every slot on 28 November and 12 December was sold out.
Additional needs and disability support
- Calm Sessions of A Dickens of a Christmas have fewer people, reduced sound effects and fewer lighting effects. On 13 November the Christmas page listed 14 November at 9.30am and 23 November at 2.30pm. For January it gives 3 January at 2.30pm in one section and 2 January at 4.30pm in another.
- Relaxed Performance: on 13 November the page listed one for Father Christmas in the Castle, on 22 November at 4.45pm. BSL-interpreted sessions are on 13 December, at 9.30am for Dickens and 11am for Father Christmas.
- Wheelchair access: level access to the House is via the North Marquee, which has an automatic door. Wheelchair users under 225kg can use the House stair lift. Electric wheelchair or scooter users need to self-transfer into a manual wheelchair.
- Not accessible: Father Christmas in the Castle is up two flights of stairs. The Grotto is fully wheelchair accessible.
- Skelf Island: wheelchair users cannot reach the high level play equipment, but there is a wheelchair accessible swing.
- Toilets: accessible toilets in the Courtyard, House and Boathouse. The official pages do not mention a Changing Places toilet.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Christmas tickets?
Yes. The Christmas page says all event tickets must be pre-booked. Its FAQ says walk-up tickets are subject to availability, with entry not guaranteed at busy times.
Is Skelf Island open at Christmas?
Yes, but it closes after dark, so check your ticket time.
Can I take a pushchair into the House?
No. Leave it in the covered space in the Christmas Marquee.
Is A Dickens of a Christmas scary for young children?
It features “a ghost or two” with projections and soundscapes, and the FAQ recommends it from 4+. Calm Sessions have reduced sound and lighting effects.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a short lead at all times, except breeds and crossbreeds listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act, such as XL Bullies. Dogs are not allowed in the House or Skelf Island, except assistance dogs.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Castle Howard Christmas, Christmas opening times, Christmas tickets, family visits and Skelf Island, accessibility, FAQ and finding us pages, and its ticket shop. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
