After New Year - Castle Howard near York

After a fun NewYear's Eve in good company we travelled south again via Castle Howard near York. This is the magnificent castle featured in the old TV series Bridehead Revisited. The Castle was closed but the grounds were beautiful. We were really lucky with a most magnificent sunny day.

 Hedgerows along the way.

Hedgerows and fabulous old trees.

 A memorial about  a mile outside the castle's old stone crenellated boundary wall, the memorial is to the 7th Earl of Carlisle

 Approaching the outer boundary of the castle grounds

Incredible vista with the Carrmire gate and the Pyramid gate further on

 The Carrmire Gate

 Second Pyramid Gate extends on both sides into huge big embattlements

 First view of the castle after the entrance complex with magnificent old tree

 Part of the north front of the castle which looks out to a wonderful lake

 The further part of the north front with clock tower

 Looking back across the north facade

 This is on the eastern edge of the castle - the land inclines to a round lake

 This plan shows the extent of the woodlands

 Footpath along the western edge

Late afternoon shadows

 Looking away from the southern front over a mile to the Howard Family Mausoleum

 This is the Mausoleum of the Howard family

 The South front of the castle

 The roof line and pediments are richly decorated - this is one of the best examples of English baroque, the castle was designed by John Vanbrugh assisted by Nicholas Hawksmoor. It was built between 1699 and 1713 for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle

 Grounds

 Looking east across the formal part of the garden beyond to another pyramidal memorial or tomb

 The landscape architecture is quite formal close to the castle and then extends for miles

 Behind this grove of trees is a huge walled formal rose garden

 Castle Howard

 The hedges divide the formal garden spaces

 The late afternoon light was perfect

 Looking towards the rose garden

 Atlas with the world on his shoulders

 From the south west end of the hedged garden looking back to the castle

Beyond the hedged garden are less formal grounds on the other side of a little stream. These two lovely trees were planted either side of the little gate.
There is much literature and information about Castle Howard which i intend to follow up.