Castle Howard, known to millions as the stunning backdrop for “Bridgerton” and “Brideshead Revisited,” is set to reveal its most ambitious restoration project in generations. The historic Yorkshire estate will unveil its transformed interiors on April 25, 2025, including the resurrection of rooms destroyed by fire during World War II.
At the heart of the project is the restoration of the Tapestry Drawing Room, which has remained a shell since a devastating 1940 fire that destroyed more than 20 rooms while the house served as a girls’ school. The room will feature its original 1706 tapestries depicting “The Four Seasons,” woven by John Vanderbank, returned to their historic positions for the first time in over 80 years.
“Castle Howard has always been a vivacious house, demanding lively evolution,” say Nicholas and Victoria Howard, the current custodians. “The evisceration of more than 20 rooms in the 1940 fire had the silver lining of once more allowing us to step into the creative process here.”
The project extends beyond the Tapestry Room, with a complete rehang of the estate’s art collection throughout the building. The Long Gallery will showcase Italian and Grand Tour paintings, while the renovated Grand Staircase will display sculptures and artifacts collected by the 4th and 5th Earls during their European travels.
Sir Charles Saumarez Smith, former CEO of the Royal Academy of Arts, praised the Howards’ determination to “make good some of the damage of the disastrous 1940 fire” while bringing the house up to modern standards.
The restoration comes as Castle Howard approaches the 300th anniversary of architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s death in 2026. It represents the latest chapter in the estate’s evolution, which has seen nine generations of the Howard family contribute to its creation and preservation over three centuries.
The project follows in the footsteps of George Howard, who chose to keep the house in family ownership after World War II, restoring the iconic dome in 1962. The estate received another boost when the filming of “Brideshead Revisited” in the 1980s enabled the reconstruction of the Garden Hall and New Library.
Leave a Reply