STATELY STRIFE AND FAMILY LIFE: CASTLE HOWARD/BRIDESHEAD REVISITED

In September 2021 I blogged about Madresfield Court in Worcestershire, widely believed to be the inspiration for Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead of Brideshead Revisited, a tale about the ups and downs of the ongoing friendship between two young men who met at University, Sebastian Flyte and Charles Ryder, Sebastian being the son of Lord and Lady Marchmain of Brideshead.  I recently began viewing the TV series based on the book for the first time. Starring Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews as Charles and Sebastian respectively, the series was first shown in 1981.  Apart from the many human stars of the series, the locational star of the show is Castle Howard, a stately home in North Yorkshire, which serves as a suitably imposing setting for the Marchmain family home which forms the focal point of the series.

Castle Howard and garden. Photo by Pwojdacz, via Wikimedia Commons.

In fact, Castle Howard has been used twice as Brideshead, taking on the role again in 2008 for a film version of the story.  In the TV version the Long Gallery is used to depict the drawing room where Sebastian’s friend Charles is entertained by the Flyte family.  The Great Hall, Grand Staircase and other sumptuous interiors also make an appearance.  Sebastian and Charles are seen indulging in some wine tasting in the Temple of the Four Winds.  They are also seen keeping cool in the summer heat by the Atlas Fountain.

Castle Howard The Great Hall Entrance. Photo by Mdbeckwith, via Wikimedia Commons.

In 1940 Castle Howard suffered a fire which destroyed the Garden Hall and the High Saloon.  The Granada TV production company transformed the Garden Hall into the room where Charles painted his landscapes.  Meanwhile, the High Saloon was used as the dining room and also the bedroom where Lord Marchmain passed away.

Castle Howard lies a short distance to the west of Malton, a market town to the north-east of York, and just to the west of the Howardian Hills.  The house opens daily until early November, and the gardens are open daily with the exception of Christmas Day.  Guided tours are available on selected dates between March and October.  There are a number of refreshments and shopping outlets within the estate.  The extensive grounds include lakes, follies, woodlands, statues and temples.  Boat trips are available around the North Lake. Twice a week during July and August there is a coach service from the centre of York; ticket prices include admission to the house and gardens.

Map of the area.