Arnot House

01/09/2026

With the long hot summer we have had…perhaps there will be some lovely days throughout September to get out and explore by bus and boat…

27/08/2026

Some spooky goings on at Fairfax House in the run up to Halloween! It’s Ghost Week at the end of October…

Fairfax House presents...

SINE DOMINIS - Ghost Week 2026

The Fairfax family are soon expected home to York. Yet in their absence, the household has fallen into disarray. Accounts have gone astray, duties have been neglected, and signs of knavery may be found throughout the house.

Before the family returns, order must be restored.

Explore the house, uncover hidden secrets and determine who among the household has contributed to the confusion.

Those who successfully answer all the questions correctly will be entered into a prize draw to win the exclusive Carte Blanche KNAVE GHOST, hand-painted by Mrs Humphreys, signed and stamped with a Black Kraken.

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙍𝙆 𝙂𝙃𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙈𝙀𝙍𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙎 ®️

23/08/2026

What a great idea…Polish sharing plates so you can discover some new flavours and mix and match your favourites like Pierogi or polish sausage.The Blue Barbakan has been a York foodie destination for many years so this is another reason to visit!

New to our menu: Small Plates.

Polish food is all about full tables, sharing dishes and trying a little bit of everything.

Oscypek, Polish sausage, herring, beef tartare and pierogi - a little tour of Poland, one plate at a time.

12/08/2026

Planning your visit for the annual St Nicholas Fair - then here are some key dates and events …

🎄✨ York Christmas Market returns for 2026!

From 12 November to 21 December, the heart of York will once again be filled with festive chalets, seasonal treats, unique gifts and plenty of Christmas atmosphere.

This year, the Christmas Market will be open six days a week, with Tuesdays closed for a rest day. But York is open and ready to welcome you seven days a week, with Christmas events, attractions, independent shopping, food and drink, cosy accommodation and much more to discover across the city. ❤️

Save the dates and start planning your Christmas in York 🎅✨

Discover at visityork.org/christmas

12/08/2026

There are a number of day long guided minibus tours around the Yorkshire Dales and Moors etc but this one is on a more personal level…with only a handful of guests in the car and a more tailored guided tour….

🐾 All Creatures Great & Small – Yorkshire Dales Private Tour

Discover the real story of James Herriot and explore the Yorkshire Dales filming locations from All Creatures Great & Small on a private tour with your own local Yorkshire driver-guide.

For us, the story of James Herriot is personal.

Our connections with Alf Wight – the real James Herriot – and his veterinary practice go back generations. Alf Wight and Donald Sinclair were the vets for our family farm, Alan’s aunt worked at the practice, and one of our driver-guides lived next door to Alf and even worked as his gardener.

Our family connections extend to the original All Creatures Great & Small television series too, with family dogs appearing on screen – and there are plenty more stories and connections that we save for the tour.

It means that when you travel with us, you are not simply hearing a guidebook version of James Herriot’s Yorkshire. We can share family memories, local anecdotes and stories passed down by people who actually knew Alf and the veterinary practice.

If you choose to visit The World Of James Herriot in Thirsk, this is our first stop of the day. Here you can explore Alf Wight’s former home and veterinary surgery and discover where the real-life stories behind James Herriot began.

We then head into the Yorkshire Dales National Park, travelling through beautiful countryside and visiting locations used in the current All Creatures Great & Small television series.

There is time in Grassington, transformed into Darrowby for filming, along with more filming locations, wonderful Dales scenery and plenty of stories along the way.

With your own vehicle and local Yorkshire driver-guide, this private tour brings together the real life of Alf Wight, our own local connections and the Yorkshire locations that bring his stories to the screen.

📍 Hotel collection available from York, Harrogate and Thirsk

🔗 https://bobholidays.com/tours/private-day-tours/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleATpA2FwZG9mAmZkaWQWUMUimQPmAlXpMCw9oS_C0OIbvcSCF2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp-fpQy9tNqBmCRsO9vKcHhnhI9Qxyh_dDSLTP2-vv-G9UwNlYwBNS_458fb3_aem_MkdyjatwblUXGVngBnnjnA

05/08/2026

Well, it is now only five months until these concerts start again for the annual York Early Music Christmas Festival ….so Get in early for your tickets…

The York Early Music Christmas Festival 2026 goes on sale Wednesday 12 August, 1pm!

Join us 4 - 13 December for a series of concerts, workshops and talks bringing together world-class musicians with the next generation of talent. Opening with our very own New Generation Baroque Ensemble Bellot, guest artists also include Spiritato, Ceruleo, Ruby Hughes & Jonas Nordberg, Echo Vocal Ensemble and Spanish medievalists Artesonado.

29/07/2026

Not just for Christmas…the Fairfax House mice are back in the building…having some summer fun and frolics!

03/07/2026

Christmas is less than six months away but it will come around very soon…And it will be a Dickensian extravaganza this year at Castle Howard…!

Announcing A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard!
12th November to 3rd January
🎩🕯️🎄

This Victorian extravaganza will leave you full to the brim with festive cheer! Charles Dickens’ classic novels are brought to life in grand Christmas style, leaping off the page with projections, soundscapes, and theatrical surprises.

As the cold nights draw in, warm your hands and hearts by the grand roaring fire and encounter familiar faces from Dickens' most treasured novels, including Ebenezer Scrooge and a ghost or two. Rich in nostalgia, storytelling and Christmas spirit, it's an immersive journey that celebrates Christmas magic.

Following the award-winning success of Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Alice's Christmas Wonderland, CLW Event Design Event Design and Imitating the dog return to bring this joyful experience to life.

So, climb aboard your carriage and join us for a traditional Christmas like no other!

🎟️ More information about tickets will be announced very soon.

Sign up to our newsletter for all the latest updates: https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/visit/visitor-information/e-newsletter

✏️ Illustration by Emily Sutton

Image description: An illustrated poster shows a festive Victorian winter scene at Castle Howard for “A Dickens of a Christmas”, featuring a horse‑drawn carriage, snow‑covered grounds, and people in period attire celebrating the festive season.