ONE historic home will soon be welcoming Dorothy, Toto and the whole Oz gang for its Christmas celebrations.
This festive season the stately home of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire will be hosting a Wonderful Wizard of Oz event and a twilight trail.
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Between November 13 and January 4, 2026, the house which is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the UK, will be transformed into the world of Oz, with different installations, soundscapes and projections.
Tickets cost from £23 per person, and each includes tickets to the gardens.
There is also an Oz Twilight Tour, which will take place on November 28 and December 5, 12 and 19.
The tour will take place after dark and with the attraction’s Christmas Design Director, visitors will venture through the house.
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The tour also includes a glass of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine.
It costs from £100 per person, and includes access to the gardens.
Other festive events include the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and Mrs Claus between November 22 and December 24.
Tickets cost £65 and each child will get a special gift to take home.
Also included in the ticket price is access to the House experience – Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Between November 29 and December 24, visitors can also head to Santa’s Grotto at the Boathouse.
The festive show will include a gift for each child and costs from £30 per person.
For adults wanting to get into the festive spirit, there is also Christmas Afternoon Tea with finger sandwiches and delicate pastries.
Guests can choose between two different spots for their tea – either the grand Grecian Hall next to a roaring fire, or in the cosy Chinese Dining Room.
The afternoon tea costs from £45 per adult or £25 per child.
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Four-legged furry friends don’t need to be left out either, as on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 23, dogs can meet Santa Paws, with festive photo ops and delicious treats.
For visitors just wanting to explore the gardens in the festive period, they can do so as well, with tickets to explore the gardens, two lakes, woodland, temples and historic statues costing from £12.50 per adult.
Castle Howard has been home to the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for over 300 years and today, is a popular attraction featuring Baroque architecture, rich interiors and grand gardens.
The destination has even been used as a filming location for Bridgerton as the Duke of Hastings’ estate, Clyvedon Castle.
Inside, the house features an extravagant central dome and opulent decor, with lots of art pieces and antiques.
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Underneath the central dome is the Great Hall which has several murals and fascinating architectural details.
Then in the gardens, visitors will find a range of landscaped grounds and formal gardens – all of which are Grade I listed.
Notable spots in the gardens include The Temple of the Four Winds and The Mausoleum – a family burial ground, located on a hill.
Also located on the 1,000acre estate is The Yorkshire Arboretum, which spans 127acres itself and operates as a separate charity.
For kids, Castle Howard has an Adventure Playground as well, called Skelf Island with treetop nests, rope bridges and slides.
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Visitors can also head to the onsite farm shop or a number of different cafes for a light bite and hot drink.
Or grab a picnic afternoon tea from the Fitzroy Cafe to enjoy in the gardens.
Standard tickets to the house and gardens include a self-guided tour of the house and access to the grounds, Adventure Playground, shops and cafes.
They cost from £27 per adult and £13.50 per child and can be booked online.
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