Castle Howard’s Autumn Harvest and Flower Festival

Here’s an event for all generations of the family….and it starts today, running all weekend.

The seasons are beginning to change and this weekend Castle Howard are putting on a spectacular celebration of the Harvest and rural life.

This promises to be a great day out for all generations of the family and a seasonal feast for all the senses. Given the changeable weather, I am pleased to say they have indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.

The floral installations throughout the House are simply stunning and reflect the autumn landscape and the bounty of the harvest, all using seasonal flowers and produce. They have been designed by the team behind the Christmas displays, Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her artistic designers, as well as local Yorkshire artists and crafters, it really is a creative and lavish spectacle that showcases everything Autumn has to offer. They really are beautiful and you must make sure you see the Michaelmas Dragon in the Long Gallery.

Madame Zucchini, Vegetable Entertainer Extraordinaire is around all weekend. She will be indoors or outdoors depending on the weather so rest assure the show will go on whatever the weather.

Need to burn off some energy. Pop outside where you will find a trail of beautiful willow sculptures from Dragon Willow which you can do on the way down to Skelf Island.  Dodging showers, perhaps have lunch in the Fitzroy Cafe and between showers you could play traditional harvest games including apple bobbing, pumpkin bowling and other garden games. Take a walk to the Walled Garden, spotting fish on the way as there you can have fun getting lost in the Hay Bale Maze. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will also be on hand and there will be hedgehogs from Hoggies Respite – children can learn what we can do to lend hedgehogs a helping hand.

For older members of the family there is also:

• Tours of the Castle Howard orchard
• Learn about fruit growing with the Northern Fruit Group and get tips on how to make your own delicious cider at home.
• Take a Fungi Foray around the Grounds with our mushroom mastermind Malcom Greaves who will help us discover the importance of fungi and answer that all important question, ‘can we eat it?’
• Discover our heritage hedgerows and their botanical secrets on a guided tour with Sloemotion, local makers of hedgerow drinks and delights, and then try their hedgerow gin.
• Sign up to a workshop with willow artist Anna & The Willow to create your own willow sculptures

This really is a day out for all the family with something for all ages, grandparents included.

For more information visit the website HERE

Castle Howard, YO60 7DA