Castle Howard and Malton

Six-hour tour combining Castle Howard, an 18th-century baroque palace with formal gardens and lake, with a visit to Malton's market town. The hall entry is included in the £42 price, allowing visitors to explore state rooms and 1,000 acres of landscaped grounds. This tour suits architecture enthusiasts and fans of period dramas filmed at the location. Best for Architecture enthusiasts and period drama fans. This is a easy activity lasting 6 hours. Group size: 2-15. You meet at York Minster south entrance. Key highlights: Castle Howard baroque palace with decorated interiors, Grand entrance hall with ornate plasterwork, Formal gardens and lake across 1,000 acres.

Price: £42

Duration: 6 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 2-15

Minimum age: all ages

Best for: Architecture enthusiasts and period drama fans

Best time: May to September for gardens in bloom; Saturdays for Malton market. Spring bulbs impressive April-May; autumn colours September-October.

Meeting point: York Minster south entrance

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

9:30am Depart York Minster - Coach journey northeast through rural North Yorkshire toward the Howardian Hills estate.

10:45am Arrive at Castle Howard - Coach reaches the baroque palace; visitors enter the house to explore state rooms, libraries, and collections.

10:45am - 1:00pm Self-guided tour of Castle Howard - Explore the grand entrance hall, Long Gallery, library, and dining rooms at your own pace; outdoor grounds accessible year-round.

1:15pm Drive to Malton - Short 20-minute coach journey south to the market town of Malton.

1:30pm - 3:15pm Free time in Malton market town - Explore the market square, food vendors, local shops, and tea rooms. Saturday visits coincide with the busy farmers and food market.

3:30pm Return to York - Coach departs Malton for the 45-minute return journey to York Minster, arriving approximately 4:20pm.

The whole experience takes 6 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at York Minster south entrance.

• Castle Howard baroque palace with decorated interiors
• Grand entrance hall with ornate plasterwork
• Formal gardens and lake across 1,000 acres
• Malton farmers and food market on Saturdays
• Setting for BBC and film productions
• Accessibility: Coach accessible with step. Castle Howard has wheelchair access to ground floor; upper floors require stairs. Formal gardens have gravel paths; accessible routes available. Malton town centre is relatively flat.

What is included: Coach transport from York, Tour guide, Castle Howard entry and guided orientation, Free time in Malton market town.

Not included: Lunch (available at Castle Howard café or Malton vendors), Gift shop purchases, Special exhibitions within the house. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes for grounds, Waterproof jacket for changing weather, Camera for architecture photography, Cash for Malton market food vendors, Layers for outdoor exploration. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: May to September for gardens in bloom; Saturdays for Malton market. Spring bulbs impressive April-May; autumn colours September-October..

Tip: House entry included in price

Tip: Malton market best on Saturdays

Accessibility: Coach accessible with step. Castle Howard has wheelchair access to ground floor; upper floors require stairs. Formal gardens have gravel paths; accessible routes available. Malton town centre is relatively flat..

Operator: Stately Homes Tours

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• York Minster (1 min from meeting point walk)
• York Castle Museum (10 min from Minster walk)

This activity is run by Stately Homes Tours.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 48 hours before departure.

Accessibility: Coach accessible with step. Castle Howard has wheelchair access to ground floor; upper floors require stairs. Formal gardens have gravel paths; accessible routes available. Malton town centre is relatively flat..

Best time to go: May to September for gardens in bloom; Saturdays for Malton market. Spring bulbs impressive April-May; autumn colours September-October..

Is Castle Howard entry and the house tour included in the £42 price?

Yes. Entry to Castle Howard and access to all state rooms are included in the tour price. The house features the grand entrance hall, Long Gallery, libraries, and formal dining room. Outdoor grounds and gardens are also accessible during your visit.

When is Malton farmers market held?

Malton's farmers and food market typically operates on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. It features local produce, artisan foods, and street food stalls. The tour operator will coordinate Saturday departures when possible; weekday visits include the regular town centre shops.

Can I climb the dome or visit upper floors of Castle Howard?

Access to upper floors depends on house policies at the time of your visit. Ground floor state rooms are fully accessible. The impressive dome and roof views are typically not public access. Ask your tour guide about current access to upper areas or special viewing galleries.