11th June 2026
Last updated 11th June 2026 Explore Originally created

From sweeping gardens and lakeside walks to family trails, seasonal events and one of Yorkshire’s most iconic stately homes, Castle Howard makes for a brilliant summer day out.

With so much to see and do at Castle Howard, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.

Castle Howard is one of Yorkshire’s finest treasures. Not only is the historic Baroque house home to breathtaking architecture and a world-class art collection, it’s surrounded by 120 acres of gardens, an award-winning adventure playground, a farm shop and much, much more.

We’re giving one lucky winner the chance to explore Castle Howard their own way, with three different experience packages to choose from. Enter now for your chance to win.

Dig into the history of a one-of-a-kind house

The Tapestry Room at Castle Howard

Credit: Tom Arber

The first prize package allows you to discover the fascinating architecture of Castle Howard’s historic house. Home to the Howard family for over 300 years, the Baroque masterpiece is a breathtaking example of craftsmanship. Choose this prize and you’ll receive House and Gardens entry for two people, giving you the chance to wander the grand halls and explore the estate at your own pace.

You’ll also get access to a special exhibition, Staging the Baroque, dedicated to the house architect, Sir John Vanbrugh, offering a deeper insight into the inspirational design behind the iconic building.

There’s plenty more to discover around the Gardens too, including Library of the Four Winds – a unique revolving artwork created by internationally-renowned artist and designer Es Devlin.

Enjoy a family day out in the gardens

Children playing on the Playshapes exhibition at Castle Howard

Credit: Castle Howard

The second prize package is a family day out in the Gardens. You’ll receive Grounds and Gardens entry for up to two adults and up to three children, allowing you to run wild across 120 acres. Younger visitors will love Skelf Island, where they can swing, slide and climb to their heart’s content.

It’s also a great opportunity to check out Playshapes: Castle Constructors – a brand new interactive art installation that invites visitors to explore architecture through play.

You’ll also enjoy a boat trip on the Great Lake before tucking into pizzas and Skelf Sundaes at the Boathouse Café. The day may come to an end, but the memories will last long after.

Discover the flavours of the Estate

The shop inside Castle Howard Arboretum

Credit: Castle Howard

The final prize package is centred around tranquil walks and seasonal flavours. You’ll receive Grounds and Gardens tickets for two people, including access to the Castle Howard Arboretum. Home to more than 7,000 trees from around the world, as well as a family of rare red squirrels, it’s the perfect place to switch off for an afternoon. It’s dog-friendly too, so your four-legged friend can come along for the adventure.

After exploring, you can stop for lunch in the Arboretum Café, where you’ll find toasties, sandwiches, sausage rolls and more – the perfect spot to relax and reflect on your visit.

Finally, you’ll get to browse the Castle Howard Farm Shop, packed with produce from both the Estate and local suppliers. You’ll even take home a BBQ meat package, so you can recreate a taste of Castle Howard at home.

What’s included?

One winner will get to choose one of the following Castle Howard experiences – use the drop down menu below to select your preferred prize.

House & Gardens Experience

  • House and Gardens entry for two
  • Access to the Sir John Vanbrugh exhibition
  • Explore the Gardens and Es Devlin’s Library of the Four Winds

Family Gardens Experience

  • Grounds and Gardens entry for up to two adults and three children
  • Access to Skelf Island and Playshapes: Castle Constructors
  • Boat trip on the Great Lake
  • Pizzas and Skelf Sundaes at the Boathouse Café

Estate Flavours Experience

  • Grounds and Gardens entry for two, including the Arboretum
  • Lunch in the Arboretum Café
  • BBQ meat package from the Castle Howard Farm Shop

Terms & Conditions

The free prize draw is open until 4pm on Thursday 23rd July 2026. There are three prizes to choose from. 1) House and Gardens entry for two people. Includes access to a special exhibition on Castle Howard’s architect. 2) Grounds and Gardens entry for a family. Includes entry for up to two adults and up to three children. Includes a boat trip in the Great Lake subject to availability. Includes pizzas and Skelf Sundaes at the Boathouse Kitchen. The Boathouse Kitchen is open on weekends and school holidays. 3) Grounds and Gardens entry for two people. Includes day tickets to the Arboretum and lunch for two in the Arboretum cafe. Includes a BBQ meat package from the Estate Butchery. Vegetarian option available by arrangement. This free prize draw is open to UK residents with a valid UK postal address only. This competition will run on Leeds-List.com and Yorkshire-List.com. One winner will be randomly selected from the database of entrants who completed the prize draw online entry form. Employees and family of Castle Howard, YouPlatforms or any agencies connected with the setup of this prize draw are not eligible to enter. No cash alternative. The winner will be contacted by email. The winner must confirm that they’re eligible and able to accept within 24 hours of the email being sent. If a winner does not contact us within this time period, we reserve the right to choose another winner at random from all other eligible entries. Subject to availability. All entrants must be aged 18 years or over. Standard Yorkshire-List terms and conditions apply. Cover image credit: David Lindsay.