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Barbara Ann Steward - 21 August 2005
Spent Saturday Night at The Proms in the Park. Bellissimo, wonderful generous firework display. Spitfire antics that bought many a tear to even many more eyes, very emotive with the Dambusters music playing. Super duper music. OH, wonderful, a fantastic experience.

Red Simon - 24 April 2005
On St George's Day, April 23rd 2005, I spent a fabulous day at Castle Howard. Starting with a walk in front of the house to the great fountain and in amongst all that Ewe hedge, chasing peacocks around the lawns, then into the house proper. The tour of the house does not take long, and maybe there isn't as much to see as perhaps there should be, but it is still worth a peek inside. The most delightful aspect of touring the rooms is the curators in each room. Without much ado these room guardians will launch into a little commentary about their own room and about the history, the furniture, the characters and paintings in the room. They can be asked almost any question and seem to be able to supply an answer. These *live* notes are supplied with knowledge, with humour and CHARACTER. Far more entertaining than any colour printed souvenir guide book could ever be. Buy the book by all means, but do so from the Gift shop as you leave, and use it to remind you of your wonderful tour here. We even bumped into one of these guides whilst strolling through Ray Wood, and she entertained us greatly with a discussion of Monarchy and Carlisles and Howards of many generations. Ray Wood itself was a great treasure. It is almost impenetrable, and defies easy navigation through it because of inadequate labelling and route marking. But fear not, you are bound to find your way out, but don't go out too quickly because you are certain to have missed some remarkable shrub if you do. Our visit discovered an incredible number of flowering Magnolias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas of every hue and of every size and shape; 800 Rhodos are claimed, but don't despair as they weren't all in flower on this day, and many more will flower especially for YOUR own visit. Our only disappointment was the catering. The main restaurant offered only two main courses, Chicken Pie and Vegetarian Bake, and both looked rather tired and the worse for languishing long under the warming lights. The Lakeside Cafe offered only rather expensive sandwiches or rather dry, but cheaper, re-warmed slices of Pizza. Maybe as the season gets underway then the catering goes up a couple of notches, but on our day it was a disappointment. You can always bring your own sandwiches, and find hundreds of lovely places to eat them. Above all, get yourself through the gates of Castle Howard and enjoy a wonderful day out.

Anon - 22 March 2005
Castle Howard is a great day out for adults and children alike. So much to do, see and admire - a must is the visitor guides, so much more history can be gleaned by listening to them instead of just walking round or reading your visitor booklet. A definite must!!!!