This is Britain’s most stately home and has been loved by film producers ever since the TV series Brideshead Revisited in 1981 made it a focal point for the nation as the residence of the Roman Catholic Marchmain family.
Castle Howard, the Baroque marvel of Baroque architecture, doubled as Kensington Palace, ITV’s blockbuster Victoria starring Jenna Coleman, as the monarch. It also served as the country seat for the Duke of Hastings in Netflix’s period drama Bridgerton.
Now, its current custodians The Honourable Nicholas Howard, 69, a photographer, and his wife Victoria, have revealed that they are facing a £50million conservation deficit on the 18th mansion, which has 145 rooms spread across two wings.
In order to help fund repairs and renovations to their 300-year old ancestral seat at the North Yorkshire Moors which was ravaged by rain, fire, wind and lightning, the two have opened the doors twice each to film firms over the four-month period. They’ve also transformed the home into a Christmas in Narnia themed event.
Castle Howard, Baroque’s masterpiece, decorated for Christmas, doubled up as Kensington Palace, ITV’s blockbuster Victoria. Jenna Coleman starred as the monarch. The country seat of Duke of Hastings was Bridgerton, Netflix’s period drama.
Now, its current custodians The Honourable Nicholas Howard, 69, a photographer, and his wife Victoria, have revealed that they are facing a £50million conservation deficit on the 18th mansion, which has 145 rooms spread across two wings. Pictured, They’ve transformed the home into a Christmas in Narnia themed event
In order to help fund repairs at the North Yorkshire Moors’ 300-year-old ancestral sitting, they have twice opened their doors to movie companies over the course of the past four month.
The revelations come after the castle received a £5million ‘lifeline’ from the Government to maintain the 13,000-acre estate, which costs £10 million-a-year to run and retains more than 100 staff.
Castle Howard, home to many treasures, including Old Masters and historic sculptures by Joshua Reynolds, and Thomas Gainsborough was put under lockdown and forced to shut down to all its visitors.
Firstly, they invited TV host Nick Knowles to film their £1million project to replace the entire East Wing roof, restore the Arts & Crafts mural inside the dome and repair the pediment and carvings on the portico, for his Quest series Heritage Rescue.
After the event, Channel 4’s “Christmas at Castle Howard” featured Charlotte Lloyd Webber, a theatrical family member, who transform 12 staterooms and a quarter of a mile into scenes taken from the CS Lewis fantasy novel, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The revelations come after the castle (pictured recently) received a £5million ‘lifeline’ from the Government to maintain the 13,000-acre estate, which costs £10 million-a-year to run and retains more than 100 staff
Castle Howard was taken during lockdown. It is full of treasures, including Old Masters and historic sculptures by Joshua Reynolds.
Firstly, they invited TV host Nick Knowles to film their £1million project to replace the entire East Wing roof, restore the Arts & Crafts mural inside the dome and repair the pediment and carvings on the portico, for his Quest series Heritage Rescue. Their Christmas celebration in the mansion.
Later, Channel 4’s “Christmas at Castle Howard” featured Charlotte Lloyd Webber, a designer from the theatre clan, transform 12 staterooms and quarter-miles of corridors to scenes of the CS Lewis fantasy novel, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
She recreated Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie’s bedrooms. They were evacuated from London in the aftermath of WWII.
She recreated the rooms of Peter, Susan and Edmund Pevensie who fled London to escape WWII.
Victoria, 67 a former chief executive officer of Harper Collins publishing giant, said that ‘Clearly we’ve experienced a difficult 18-months.’
“We’ve been closing a lot. We’re hoping for a huge Christmas. Although we considered doing an outdoor Christmas, we decided to go all-in on the inside. The house is screaming for big things.
“You just have to make it work as hard as you can. There’s a £50million conservation deficit on the place. It is very costly to maintain.
Victoria, who is 67 and a former chief executive officer of Harper Collins Publishing, stated that it has been a challenging 18 months. The dining room at the home is shown here.
Victoria said that they were hoping for a big Christmas. While we had considered just having an outside Christmas, we decided that we’d go back to do the whole-on indoor Christmas. (pictured)
The only way that we are able to accomplish all of this is through trying to make it a business. There is a lot of uncertainty about the future and how these buildings will be restored.
It used to make Nick feel anxious. He has carried it with him throughout his entire life. He does not know anything different.
Castle Howard, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1699-1811 for the Earl of Carlisle. The Howards were the ninth generation to reside at Castle Howard.
In 1940, the house was almost destroyed. George’s father George took the house as a shell from the deaths of his brothers in World War II. He opened it up for visitors and restored the former splendor.
Castle Howard, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1699-1811 for the Earl of Carlisle. The Howards (pictured) represent the ninth generation of Vanbrugh’s family who live at Castle Howard.
It was decorated with Christmas decorations in 1940. George’s father George took a burned-out shell from the deaths of his brothers in World War II. This allowed George to open the house to anyone who wanted to restore it back to its former glory.
Nick stated, “We are very fortunate.” To live in a house (pictured) like this is just amazing…We always feel is important that it is a family house and it’s lived in by us still. You are surrounded by beauty. Each day, I see or notice something new.
In a real-life drama, the Howards, who have been married since 1992, took over the running of the estate in 2014 from Nick’s younger brother Simon, 65, and his second wife, Marks & Spencer heiress Rebecca.
Simon was found guilty of historic child sex offences last month and was given an absolute discharge because brain damage he recently suffered in a fall at home meant he was unfit to stand trial.
Nick stated, “We are very fortunate.” To live in a house like this is just amazing…We always feel is important that it is a family house and it’s lived in by us still. You are surrounded by beauty. Each day, I see or notice something new.
Christmas At Castle Howard will be shown on Channel 4 at 9 pm today, December 15. Quest’s Nick Knowles Heritage Rescue will be shown at 9pm, December 22.