Welcome
Castle Howard is one of England's finest historic houses, set in a thousand acres of sweeping parkland dotted with statues, temples, lakes and fountains. Inside, discover world-renowned collections gathered by succeeding generations of the Howard family. Built over 300 years ago, today it still remains a family home.
The Stable Courtyard area is free for visitors to access. Here you can enjoy barista coffee, fresh cakes, and seasonal menus at our Coffee Shop (take-away service) and Courtyard Cafe (table service); browse our local produce in the Farm Shop and Gift Shop; access toilet facilities; and purchase tickets to explore Castle Howard House and Grounds.
Level access
Visual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
The bus stop is located near to the Stable Courtyard welcome buildings, within the Castle Howard visitor car park0.0
Travel by taxi
Parking
There are two designated areas for Blue Badge and disabled parking - one area of six bays and one area of ten bays. Drop off is also available on the tarmac area outside of the main entrance to the Stable Couryard.
Please note that Blue Badge parking spaces are not able to be reserved.
Parking is on hard surface towards the front of the car park, and loose surface or grass towards the back of the car park.
On busy days, overflow parking is on a grass field with a short slope along the access route.
Arrival
Main entrance
At the Stable Courtyard, visitors can access the Gift Shop, Farm Shop, Coffee Shop, Cafe, public toilets and Ticket Office.
The Stable Courtyard is a historic building. The floor surface comprises of cobblestones and flagstones that can be bumpy and uneven. Doors vary between different areas - some outlets are equipped with automatic doors (Ticket Office, Gift Shop, Farm Shop), doors propped open (Courtyard Cafe, public toilets) and manual doors (Coffee Shop).
Staff are on hand to assist with access across all of these areas.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Ticket Office
The main Ticket Office entrance is equipped with an automatic door. The Ticket Office has plaster walls and a stone floor, so can be quite echoey at busy times. The room is lit by a mixture of natural and ambient lighting.
The fast track Ticket Office area is fitted with a lower desk, and can be accessed via the automatic door in the main Ticket Office.The fast track area has a stone floor, so can be quite echoey at busy times. The room is lit by a mixture of natural and ambient lighting.
Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed from the Ticket Office or the House Entrance (inside the attraction). Please note: motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not permitted in the House and visitors are asked to self-transfer into a manual wheelchair. Please see Castle Howard House accessibility guide for further guidance, or visit the Castle Howard website: www.castlehoward.co.uk/visit-us/visitor-information/accessibility
Assistance dogs are welcome across the Estate. There are some restrictions on where non-assistance dogs are allowed to go (including the Kelly Car land train, the boat, and the playarea).
There are carry seats for any young children who wish to look around the house, please note that for conservation reason prams are not allowed in the main house.
Things to See and Do
Public toilet
Stable Courtyard toilet facilities
The flush button is on top of the cistern. There are fold down grab rails. Emergency pull cord reaches to the floor. There is a sink within close proximity to the toilet and a handryer (low level). The light is automatic (and artificial). The door opens outwards.
Due to the historic nature of the building, the space to maneouvre is quite limited.
Shop
Farm Shop and Gift Shop
The Farm Shop and Gift Shop are next door to one another, with a narrow passageway connecting the two areas.
There are seperate doors for the entrance and exit to the space - both doors are automatic. The floors are stone flagged. There is a combination of natural and artifical light but some areas can be quite dim at times. There are glass counters for the Butcher and the Deli areas. There are several fridges with hingeed doors that open outwards.
Staff are happy and on hand to assist in getting things from the fridges or down from shelves.
Place to eat and drink
Stable Courtyard Coffee Shop (takeaway)
The Coffee Shop offers a takeaway-only menu of hot drinks, cakes, sandwiches and cold drinks.
The door to access the Coffee Shop is glass and not automatic - it manually opens inwards. Staff are on hand to assist.
Place to eat and drink
Stable Courtyard Cafe (and outdoor decking area)
The Courtyard Cafe is equipped with an automatic door.
The Courtyard Cafe menu offers a range of cooked breakfast, brunch, and lunch options as well as cakes and hot/cold drinks. Large-handled cutlery and beakers are available - please ask a member of staff.
The room is well lit with a combination of natural and artifical light. Due to the high ceilings, the room can become quite noisy at busy times.
The Courtyard Cafe has a first floor with steps (this area is only open at busy times). There is an outdoor decking area with tables and seats, open for customers to use in fair weather.
There is a small seating area in the entrance vestibule of the cafe for anyone who wishes to sit down whilst waiting in a queue. There are also benches situated outside the cafe and in the wider courtyard area. This seating has armrests and back support.
The Courtyard Cafe runs with waiter/waitress table service - staff will take your order and deliver your items directly to your table. Please note: payment is taken at the till inside the cafe and not at your table. The card reader can be lowered to accomodate.
Catching the Kelly Car land train (shuttle service around the visitor attraction)
There is a land train that takes visitors from the Ticket Office to the House and the playarea. We aim to provide this service 7 days a week. Please note that this is subject to last minute changes due to availability.
The land train is named the Kelly Car and runs from 10.00am until early afternoon.
The Kelly Car is wheelchair accessible and the driver can assist you in getting onboard. There is also a step available if the trailer height is too high - please ask the driver for assistance if required.
The Kelly Car trailers are wooden, painted with yellow and red decoration. Steps and seating are also wooden - the seats are benches with no arm support. There is a larger space in the front trailer for wheelchair access.
The Kelly Car is operated using a tractor, which can be noisy whilst moving. The driver delivers a safety briefing during each journey using a tannoy system.
The width of the doorway for loading wheelchairs is 70 cm. Alternatively, there is a step of approx 50cm with a wooden ledge to board.
Please remain seated throughout the journey. Assistance dogs are welcome on the Kelly Car. Non-assistance dogs are not allowed on this service.
The Kelly Car runs on a shuttle service. You can catch the Kelly Car from outside the Ticket Office.
Getting around outside
To exit the Grounds and Gardens, there is an exit doorway at the Stable Courtyard. This route consists of one manual door (propped open) and an automatic door that opens towards you.
Head straight across the Stable Courtyard to get back to the car park.