Castle Howard: Inside England’s Most Iconic Country House

[@ProtectMyLiberty]

Just breathtaking. More like a fairy tale. These English country homes are so magnificent. I hope to visit them some day.

[@Xploreheritage]

They really are! Hope you get chance to visit one day!

[@mysteryman2475]

Proud that this is my ancestral home!

[@jamiehoward5538]

Good name you have there 👍

[@mysteryman2475]

@@jamiehoward5538 And my nickname is Jamie.

[@jamiehoward5538]

This would be even funnier if mine was James 😂

[@JaehaerysTheConciliator]

Are you an actual part of the Howard family??? That’s insane!

[@JaehaerysTheConciliator]

Isn’t Castle Howard owned by the Howard family? Do you know them?

[@brucewinther6926]

I remember visiting Castle Howard in the late 70's Was very taken by the architecture and beauty and the interior was glorious---Interesting to think of what some people were able to call home

[@Xploreheritage]

Hard to imagine isn’t it! Unimaginable wealth.

[@ohshems]

Another lovely, lovely piece on a much loved English treasure. I love your videos - please keep them coming.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much John!

[@jasonjumat5070]

The exterior is what I marvel at. Over and over and over. However the interior reminds me not of a house but simply a building such as for example an oversized massive old museum. What an opposing contrast. It leaves you with a drawing fantasy desire that seriously would want to have a house with such an exterior but leaves you horrified to would want to stay and live inside it even for a very short time. How much the world has changed.

[@Xploreheritage]

Spectacular isn’t it!

[@brandihoward7612]

I'm researching the history of the Howard family for obvious reasons. Interesting video🖤

[@pbohearn]

Absolutely stunning. Every time I’ve been to the UK I rarely get out of London but now I know I need to

[@Xploreheritage]

Hope you get chance to visit!

[@theribwells3053]

Yes you do indeed - so many amazing places to visit. You have a lifetime of history, natural beauty and interest to experience. Suggest Bath, York, Durham and Edinburgh as a starter. So many stately homes to visit - hard to prioritise. Maybe Chatsworth, Castle Howard, Wilton, Blickling, Houghton, Holkham, Woburn. Plus all that countryside.

[@cjhoward409]

Love castle Howard ! 😉

[@tamaracarter1836]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video - I’ve just subscribed to your channel. Castle Howard is spectacular! I completely fell in love with its beauty on a tour some years ago.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment, that’s really appreciated! I absolutely love the place and visit often. Fortunately it’s right on my doorstep. I have a video on Wentworth Woodhouse going live tomorrow, you might enjoy that 😊

[@tamaracarter1836]

@@Xploreheritage You’re very lucky. I will definitely be watching tomorrow as I’m very interested in the amazing restoration of Wentworth Woodhouse.

[@Xploreheritage]

@@tamaracarter1836 I certainly am. Thanks so much for your support 😊

[@brianhoward3947]

I will visit Castle Howard someday for obvious reasons. Makes me proud of my bloodline 👍

[@seanreynolds516]

Castle Howard has been known to me only through television and pictures for decades now, but the sight of it still evokes awe . Enjoyed your presentation.

[@Xploreheritage]

It is truly a breathtaking building set within stunning grounds. Really glad you enjoyed my video 😊

[@joshgell]

My family and I go to Castle Howard every year. We get a family photo standing at the fountain. And me and my cousin get a photo on the steps up from the fountain. It’s crazy to see how we’ve grown up over the years. Thanks for the video man, i love your content.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hey Jay, I’m really glad you love this place as much as I do. It is indeed very special! Thanks so much for your kind words; really pleased you enjoy my channel ☺️

[@sjgreene785]

Thank you. There are no words.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

[@jilljackson3995]

So lovely! I have been to Blenheim Castle. Always loved Castle Howard, from the original Brideshead.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for commenting! Strangely I haven’t managed to get to Blenheim yet, but it is high on my list of things to do 😊

[@judyf37]

I love this channel!! I just subscribed!!!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much Judy!

[@michaeltutty1540]

Well done, Mikey. I truly enjoyed this video. Somehow I have missed your channel until now. Very impressive and interesting video. You have certainly gained a new subscriber. Keep up the great work.

[@Xploreheritage]

Hi Michael, thank you so much for your Kind words! Hopefully more videos coming soon 😊

[@marydonohoe8200]

Love it! I’m now subscribed. Beautiful work, and I did indeed learn a lot.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much Mary, that’s really kind Of you to say!

[@ReasonQuest]

Wonderful video! Makes me want to visit someday. I've subscribed!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks you 🙏

[@charmerci]

Never heard of this place before. Beautiful! Thanks.

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure 😊

[@stevenlevasee6742]

I watch this video because I like Castle Howard and because the host, Mike, is super cute.

[@Xploreheritage]

😊

[@michaeltutty1540]

I quite agree.

[@dutchlad73]

I totally agree on it being the best Stately Home and Castle in the World... I "ran into the castle" by accident, and it did not disappoint. It is magnificent. Because of this video: I subscribed to your channel.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much Leon, really glad you enjoyed the video! And thanks so much for subscribing 👊

[@cathaypacific2118]

I am going to have breakfast on bed and watch all the videos on this channel. I am so excited

[@jamesa1918]

I love your presentation, and your passion for Castle Howard. It’s contagious. I’ve never been inside so I will make a point of doing so. I will take a look at your Wentworth Woodhouse piece too. Brilliant work, keep it up!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much James, that means a lot! Hope you enjoy the Wentworth video ☺️

[@jamesa1918]

@@Xploreheritage I did enjoy it, I want to get some visiting in!

[@ninarussell2550]

Great information! Those of us who have English ancestry always enjoy learning more about the country and especially the homes!

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks Nina, glad you enjoyed!

[@jackspeight273]

Excellent content. Thank you

[@Xploreheritage]

My pleasure. Thanks so much 🙏

[@lorihogue5015]

Wonderful video. I will always think of Castle Howard as Brideshead. If you haven't seen the original 'Brideshead Revisted', with Jeremy Irons and Anthony Edwards, do so. The house and grounds are shown extensively. As a series, it allowed more of Evelyn Watch's wonderful book to shine and the actors performances are top notch.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! I haven’t seen the original Brideshead, but it is certainly on my list of things to watch! I understand the BBC is to make a new 4 part series. The house is currently closed for filming so who knows!

[@fly89]

Jeremy Irons in Brideshead is a perfect 10.

[@Xploreheritage]

@@fly89 A great actor!

[@michaeltutty1540]

Evelyn Waugh wrote Brideshead Revisited because after World War I and again after World War II, it looked like many of these grand homes would be lost. So many members of the Aristocracy perished in such short order meant that Death Duties ate the family fortunes. A number were demolished and more had the roofs removed to save the taxes because the money was simply not there to keep the homes intact. All I can say is that the English National Trust is responsible for the very survival of a great many of these gorgeous buildings.

[@bwaw1972]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Brought back lots of happy childhood memories. Haven’t been in or near the house since 1985. It surprised me that I still recognised rooms and corridors.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed. Hope you get the opportunity to visit again some day!

[@lemorab1]

Read "Wait For Me!" the memoirs of the Duchess of Devonshire, Deborah Mitford. She describes youthful hijinks at Castle Howard in the late 1930's. Two of the sons of the manor were among her best friends, both of whom died in WWII in 1944. I think one of them was Charlie Lansdowne.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for sharing; I will check it out!

[@philipe3644]

Merci beaucoup pour ton travail 👍🤗

[@greggdoty3076]

LOVED this! I recently saw your "Top 10 Country Houses" vid and we traded a couple of comments about those houses, including Castle Howard. Seeing this video is causing me many nostalgic flashbacks to my visit. I very much understand the special place it holds for you. March 2016, my first trip to the UK, Castle Howard had always been at the top of my bucket list. Loved York, too, but the goal was Castle Howard. Took the bus, which, as mentioned by Baron Readus, took about an hour. The weather was not splendid (off-and-on drizzle and about 45 degrees) but I managed to take some good photos outside. The house overall totally met my expectations. Fabulous. On that trip and my subsequent trip (the third has been indefinitely postponed thanks to COVID; maybe next spring) I saw Kenwood, Apsley, Osterley, Soane's, and Chiswick. Syon, Blenheim, and Chatsworth, among others, are still on the bucket list.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for you comment Gregg! It’s always an absolute pleasure having wonderful feedback, and to think that people benefit from my videos is really heart warming. You were very lucky to have experienced Castle Howard, it is indeed a spectacular place. And Kenwood too! How did you find Kenwood? This is one of the few houses I haven’t actually visited!

[@greggdoty3076]

@@Xploreheritage Forgot to mention the Queen's House--loved the architecture but it's not furnished as a residence these days, as it's an extension of the Maritime Museum. As for Kenwood, I liked it a lot. Not one of my fave faves, I guess mostly because other than the library it's not especially...distinctive, let's say. Don't get me wrong, its beautiful and certainly worth seeing, and the setting in Hampstead Heath is very nice. And the library--one of Adam's most incredible spaces--makes it a must-see. Keep up the good work with the videos! My next visit to the UK (I live in Houston) will hopefully happen next spring. On to more fabulous houses then!

[@nathanhoward252]

I would love to visit there some day

[@Xploreheritage]

Hope you get chance!

[@KRUGE67]

wonderful castle, love your channel.

[@Xploreheritage]

Lovely isn’t it! Thanks so much 😀

[@timdaugherty5921]

I visisted there in 2018. So nice and such history!!

[@Xploreheritage]

Glad you got chance to visit!

[@twood1uis]

Some of my ancestors lived just west of Castle Howard, near Dalby and Skrewby. They Emigrated to Ohio and Illinois about 1819.

[@tjwilliams7566]

Going today, can’t wait!!

[@Xploreheritage]

Good luck with the weather. Let us know how you get on!

[@tjwilliams7566]

@@Xploreheritagehad great time , just wish there was more of the house to see

[@Xploreheritage]

@@tjwilliams7566 Glad you had a good time! I hope they will open up more of the house later in the year.

[@baronreadus]

I visited York in 2018 and I nearly missed my opportunity to visit my favorite house in the United Kingdom. It's about an hours ride from York by bus. You can are aloud to photograph everything. Only the mausoleum is off limits. The walled garden is also very special and I recommend you walk though it first.

[@Xploreheritage]

Glad you really enjoy Castle too. I am very much looking forwards to exploring the interiors when the house opens again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@farzanadarsot3516]

I subbed, yes more such videos please

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much! And yes, more in the pipeline!

[@toumazosdemetriou7632]

Very interesting great video well done

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you very much 😊

[@linethgonzalez5878]

Amazing just WOW

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much. Hope you enjoyed!

[@timothyj1966]

Canada has NOTHING like Englan's grand Country Houses. Ughh... cannot wait for Covid to be over so we can plan another England Trip.

[@nancycarty2975]

Wonderful video. Hope to visit post pandemic.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, really hope you get chance!

[@davewme]

Might be mine too! Lol I’m in Canada and have not had opportunity to visit.

[@Xploreheritage]

It’s such a magnificent house. Really hope you get chance to visit!

[@jebstuart4004]

Chatsworth is really amazing too. Is there someone burried in the mausoleum of castle Howard ? i always wonder....

[@pizzafries]

Katherine (Weston) Rogers is George William Frederick Howard's 8th great grandmother,she is my 13th great grandmother.

[@muhammadsarwar192]

Great work thanks so much love and respect from pakistan

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it!

[@maralene1411]

Beautiful. Wasn't it also where one of the Pride and Prejudice movies or series?

[@Xploreheritage]

It certainly is. Some of Death Comes to Pemberley was filmed here. Check out my Pride and Prejudice video if your interested in the movie filming locations!

[@johndewhurst7352]

HELLO WONDERFUL VIDEO ARE YOU ABLE TO DO SOMEHTING ON THE CHINESE DRAWING ROOM THANK YOU

[@angelamaria9833]

Gostei muito!

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

It's amazing!😮 Hope to see it in person one day👍

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much for watching! Yes it certainly is, I hope you manage to visit 😊

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

@@Xploreheritage I bought a plane ticket for The UK last year to go in May. Unfortunately, Covid hit & I had to postpone my trip. I'm going to save my money again though & plan to go as soon as it's safe to do so..( fingers 🤞!)

[@Xploreheritage]

@@ROBYNMARKOW Ah gutted for you! I am a bit biased I think that we live so close to Castle Howard, but it really is spectacular! Let me know what you think when you finally get to visit. 😀

[@ROBYNMARKOW]

@@Xploreheritage Will do!👍 P. S. Are u on Instagram?

[@Xploreheritage]

@@ROBYNMARKOW Certainly am! instagram.com/eheritage.uk/

[@yungstreetz2573]

Howard 👍🏾🌎💪🏾🙏🏾

[@sauvageaux]

🌟

[@bluebells5]

Just because I'm a Howard descendant, if I visit the castle, I get a special discount! :) I'm Thelma Howard :) a poor person.

[@TheONeillFamilyOriginal]

Great video

[@Xploreheritage]

Thanks so much ☺️

[@lynnegunn3478]

👍👍👍

[@KindnessMatters-uy8mq]

♥️💯

[@Xploreheritage]

🙌

[@TheButterflyGirl-du7bd]

i jus went today to see Christmas in Narnia

[@Xploreheritage]

What did you think? I went the other day!

[@hillert1967]

THESE PEOPLE MIGHT BE RELATED TO ME ON MY MOTHERS SIDE....WAY BACK WHEN...NOT SURE

[@andysmith8890]

Just walked the circular walk today

[@Xploreheritage]

Oh ha ha so did I!

[@hungrysoles]

Is this Howard Family related to Katherine Howard, a wife of King Henry VIII ?

[@Xploreheritage]

The Howard’s of Castle Howard are a different branch of the family, but essentially both Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn were nieces of Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. I actually didn’t realise this until recently!

[@johnmcgrath6192]

@@Xploreheritage Yet that branch of the Howards (Norfolk) stayed Cathholic or reverted.

[@pedanticradiator1491]

Yes the Howard family spilt into several branches in the late 16th century one of which inherited estates in Yorkshire and Cumberland and were later given the title Earl of Carlisle. In 1911 the estates were split again which is why the current earl actually lives near Carlisle and a non titled branch now live at Castle Howard.

[@gordonhoward606]

Being a Howard ive never been able to invision the line

[@nickho_Builds]

glad I built this beauty in minecraft!

[@kevinrobinson1056]

Vans genius without thought or lecture is hugely turned to architecture..

[@victoriastowell1418]

So cool! I am a descendant of the Howard family.

[@dariot.2375]

I like you very much 💖🥰

[@tolletstalesandtrails6051]

Isn’t it wonderful the public can access these properties by affordable membership of the NATIONAL TRUST or English Heritage. It’s definitely staycations for me.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

Where did the money for all of this indulgence come from?

[@lindadobson9854]

It’s time these huge estates were returned to the people, then there would be more room and far fewer homeless.

[@lauralauren6432]

Country house? LOL. Its not a "House". Its a Palace. . Its a Tartarian building. Exactly as many of USAs many Capitol buildings or The Vatican.

[@theon9575]

It's the "most iconic". I love the strange idea that some castles are more iconic than others, and that Howard Castle is the "most iconic" 😂 How do you measure these levels of iconicity? Or is it bull💩 ? The video itself is great, thank you.

[@Xploreheritage]

Thank you for your comment, and glad you enjoyed! I think it is so well known as the home Of Brideshead, and that combined with the colossal size and striking architecture makes it very “iconic” 🤣

[@michaeltutty1540]

@@Xploreheritage You are so right, Mikey. The iconic stature of Castle Howard is well known to any student of great English domestic architecture, even here in Ontario, Canada. I remember watching an episode of World's Craziest Houses that shone the spotlight on the Castle. In that, they were able to show pictures of the fire and the damage done, including some of the rooms that have yet to be restored. Seeing how the structure was built was very enlightening indeed.

[@Xploreheritage]

@@michaeltutty1540 Thanks so much Michael! I guess I am a little biased towards Castle Howard as I literally live down the road, but the house is absolutely incredible and iconic as the home of Brideshead. I very much love this place.

[@pamelahomeyer748]

Why hasn't this turned into a hospital by now

[@michaeltutty1540]

Simple. Castle Howard is still the residence of the Howard family.

[@starlight6650]

Why on earth did my dna show realatives from this House of Howard. I'm black and eat african 😳

[@randommotor5429]

I know I don't, but, why do people have to or need to live in such luxurious castles or elaborate huge homes. I live in a small apartment and sometimes even it feels too big. Just my thoughts.

[@Xploreheritage]

It’s a fair point. But of course, back then it was all about showing off. Like you, I wouldn’t want such a colossal house. Can you imagine the heating bill!

[@randommotor5429]

@@Xploreheritage The heating bill, the dusting, vacuuming, polishing,. On second thought, my Apt isn't that bad at all.

[@Xploreheritage]

@@randommotor5429 🤣🤣🤣

[@randommotor5429]

@@Xploreheritage You liked that didja??

[@michaeltutty1540]

@@Xploreheritage Part of it was showing off, but there is more to it than that. First, families tended to be much larger then. Second, the Aristocracy and Upper Classes knew one another, either by marriage or through connections in the House of Lords. The various families would travel to see friends, bringing a number of servants with them, for extended visits. Comfort and luxury were at the top of the list for these important guests.

[@rhaerhae6403]

So much talking in the first minute.

[@d.r.tweedstweeddale9038]

A hideously opulent representation of obscene wealth!

[@Xploreheritage]

Yes perhaps, but it’s part of our history and we can all visit and enjoy it today. Thanks for watching.

[@willx9352]

Isn’t it wonderful!

[@ebonyivory2023]

These places developped to shelter and protect entire communities on a single estate alone, before the pre-modern industrial revolution, and the bloodshedding french revolution and xommunist revolution and the subsequent onset of private property ownership whether organically/economically, or at the point of a gun. Well, xommunist is state ownership, though...

[@MyAgrael]

It’s dull plain cold and is nothing beautiful but it

[@tamaracarter1836]

If you cannot see the *immense* beauty of this stunning Baroque building, then you are profoundly ignorant.