Howardian Hills

Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1987 the Howardian Hills covers 77 square miles of woods, farmland and historic parkland which take their name from the Howard family whose great mansion still dominates this area.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in York
Castle Howard
Built for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle and taking over 100 years to complete, today Castle Howard remains home to the Howard family.
The grounds at Castle Howard
Covering an astounding 8,800 acres, the grounds of Castle Howard are the idyllic location to enjoy a walk filled with rich history and colourful cinematic tales.
The Temple of the Four Winds
Designed in the early 18th century, it was used by the family as an oasis on the grounds to read and enjoy refreshments.
Coneysthorpe village
Only 4 miles away from Castle Howard you can find this beautiful small village and civil parish were The Centenary Way long-distance path runs through.
Stillington
An attractive village about 10 miles north of York.
Brideshead Revisited
In both film versions of Waugh's Brideshead Revisited, Castle Howard is used as the stately home of the Flyte family. The grounds were used extensively throughout filming as well.

Related Tours

Bridgerton-Themed Castle Howard: Private Day Trip from York

Castle Howard is a place and palace like no other where for over 300 years the Howard family have been welcoming visitors. In just one visit you'll see a palace, a town, a fortified city, temples, magnificent woods, hills, valleys and a mausoleum.

On your private day trip, you will:

  • Enjoy sensational views of York Minster across the Vale of York as you drive out of the city;
  • Drive through Howardian Hills an area of outstanding natural beauty;
  • Enjoy an audio-guided tour of Castle Howard which was used as Bridgeton's Clyvedon Castle - the Duke of Hastings’ family estate;
  • Walk along the picturesque formal Gardens;
  • Visit Coneysthorpe, where you'll enjoy magnificent views of Castle Howard across the lake;
  • Enjoy breathtaking views across the North York Moors;
  • Visit picturesque, quaint villages, and pass by Newburgh Priory, which was founded in 1145;
  • Be dropped off at your hotel in York after the tour concludes.


Heading out of York you'll take in breathtaking views of York Minster as you head into the Vale of York. You'll then be driven through the charming villages of Sutton on Forest and Stililngton both mentioned in William the Conquerer’s Domesday Book after which the imposing York Minster comes into view.

After driving through the Howardian Hills and former Castle Howard estate village of Bulmer you'll arrive at Castle Howard where you'll have the chance to stop for a coffee and browse the estate's shops. This will be followed by a private tour of the house and formal gardens before you're left to have lunch and explore on your own.

After lunch, you'll have plenty of photo opportunities on the specially curated tour of picture perfect, chocolate box villages including a stop in Coneysthorpe where Bridgerton filming took place, before travelling through Hovingham past Hovingham Hall where HRH Duchess of Kent was born. You'll drive by many magnificent abbeys and their ruins including Rievaulx Abbey established in 1132, once one of the most important abbeys in England.

On your way back into the Howardian Hills you'll travel past Newburgh Priory towards the village of Crayke mentioned in the Domesday Book. Far-reaching views across the Vale of York and towards the Yorkshire Dales lead you back to your hotel where you'll be dropped off.

DISCLAIMER: This tour is an unlicensed and unauthorised tour of sites featured in the television series 'Bridgerton' created by Chris Van Dusen for Netflix. Travel Curious Ltd. and this tour does not have any association with, or connection to, the television series 'Bridgerton', Chris Van Dusen and Netflix. 

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