Camping Near Castle Howard
Adults only · 5 pitches · 3 miles from the estate · Howardian Hills AONB
The Right Place to Stay
If you're looking for camping near Castle Howard, Greets Farm is three miles from the estate — a small, adults-only site on a working farm in the Howardian Hills. Peaceful, level, and properly personal.
Castle Howard camping doesn't have to mean a large, busy holiday park. Greets Farm offers something different: five pitches on a quiet family farm, far-reaching countryside views, a village pub a mile away, and a bus stop a short stroll from the site that'll take you to York or the coast without touching the car.
Castle Howard is three miles away. You can drive, cycle, or walk — it's a beautiful 2.7-mile walk through the Howardian Hills, one of the finest short walks in North Yorkshire. View the OS Maps walking route → Either way, you'll be back in time for tea — and the view from your pitch at dusk makes a decent argument for not going anywhere at all.
A Small Farm Site vs a Large Holiday Park
There are different ways to camp near Castle Howard. Here's how Greets Farm compares to larger commercial sites in the area.
| Feature | Greets Farm | Large Holiday Parks |
|---|---|---|
| Adults only | Strictly adults only | Mixed — families, children, noise |
| Number of pitches | 5 pitches — genuine seclusion | Hundreds of pitches |
| Setting | Working farm, open countryside | Holiday park environment |
| Village pub & café | Crown & Cushion & Dogh — 1 mile | On-site bar/shop only |
| Bus to York | Yorkshire Coastliner Bus is a short stroll away | Car mostly required |
| Solo travellers | Actively welcomed, 20% discount (code SOLO) | Standard rates, no specific welcome |
| Personal service | Sarah & Marcus — family-run | Commercial operation |
How Far is Castle Howard from Greets Farm?
Greets Farm is three miles from Castle Howard — making it one of the closest campsites to the estate. The drive takes around ten minutes on quiet country lanes through the Howardian Hills.
If you have bikes with you, it's a genuinely pleasant cycle — mostly flat, through beautiful countryside, with the dome of Castle Howard appearing on the horizon as you approach. Allow around 20 minutes each way.
Castle Howard's house, gardens and café are open to visitors from spring through to autumn. The gardens alone are worth a full afternoon — 1,000 acres of parkland, the famous Atlas Fountain, and views that explain why this corner of North Yorkshire has been attracting visitors for three centuries.
Castle Howard was famously used as a filming location for the ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and, more recently, for Netflix's Bridgerton. It remains one of the great country houses of England — and one of the most visited attractions in North Yorkshire.
What's It Like to Stay?
Greets Farm is a small site on purpose. Five pitches, open countryside, and Castle Howard just down the road. Sarah and Marcus have kept it that way.
The field is levelish and two acres in size — plenty of space between pitches. The access track is wide and well-maintained, so arriving and leaving is straightforward whatever your outfit. Sheep graze in the neighbouring fields. On a clear day, you can see toward Castle Howard from the pitch.
The village of Welburn is a mile's easy stroll. The Crown & Cushion is an 18th century pub — dog-welcoming, proper food, the kind of place you'll want to go back to. Dogh, the artisan bakery and café, is ideal for a morning coffee and pastries before a day at Castle Howard.
The Yorkshire Coastliner bus stop is a short stroll from the site. York in one direction, Scarborough and Whitby in the other. A lot of guests use it for a day out and leave the motorhome exactly where it is.
Castle Howard Visiting Tips
A few things worth knowing before you visit, from guests who've been many times.
Best Times to Visit
Weekday mornings are quietest, especially outside school holidays. The estate opens from 10am. Arriving early gives you the gardens largely to yourself — the Atlas Fountain in morning light is worth the early start.
Gardens vs House Tickets
You can buy a gardens-only ticket or a combined house and gardens ticket. The house is magnificent but the gardens alone are worth a full visit. Check the Castle Howard opening times and prices before you go.
The Bridgerton Connection
Castle Howard has been used as a filming location for Netflix's Bridgerton and the original ITV Brideshead Revisited. The house and grounds are recognisable to fans of both. The estate sometimes runs themed events — worth checking ahead.
Walking to Castle Howard
The walk from Greets Farm to Castle Howard is 2.7 miles through the Howardian Hills — one of the best short walks in North Yorkshire. Allow 50–60 minutes each way and you'll arrive having already earned your entry fee. View the full OS Maps route →
Cycling from the Campsite
Three miles by quiet country lane — a genuinely pleasant ride through the Howardian Hills. The route is mostly flat and the lanes are light on traffic. Allow 20 minutes each way. Lock your bikes at the estate entrance.
Combining with Malton or York
Castle Howard in the morning, Malton for lunch — Malton is Yorkshire's food capital and just five miles from the site. Or take the Coastliner bus to York in the afternoon. It's a very good day out.
The Castle Howard Café
There's a good café on the estate — worth a stop. But for something more local, Dogh in Welburn is a short stroll from the campsite and does excellent morning pastries and coffee.
Book Your Castle Howard Camping Trip
Book online or call and email Sarah and Marcus to check availability.