About 25 kilometres northeast of York, Castle Howard is one of England's grandest baroque houses. Construction began in 1699 to a design by John Vanbrugh (who had never built anything before) and took over a hundred years to complete. The result is theatrical in the best sense: a domed Great Hall, painted ceilings, and corridors lined with Old Masters.
The grounds are just as impressive. The Temple of the Four Winds and the Hawksmoor Mausoleum sit among lakes, fountains, and formal gardens that stretch across a thousand acres of parkland. Most people know the place from Brideshead Revisited — both the 1981 series and the 2008 film were shot here.
The Howard family still lives on the estate. Allow at least half a day; the house, gardens, and farm shop can easily fill a full one.