Castle Howard
Two hours for A Dickens of a Christmas, with time for the House, Courtyard, shops and a drink.
Live Christmas availability
Choose your date.
This calendar is for A Very Yorkshire Christmas only. Select an available date and FareHarbor will take you into the secure booking process for this tour.
£402.80
private group up to 4
£100.70 per person based on 4 guests
Castle Howard tickets: admission is separate and uses timed entry. Please check your tour date with us before buying Castle Howard tickets.
Christmas beyond York
Castle Howard first. Then a proper Yorkshire winter day.
Christmas in York is busy. This private tour takes the day out into North Yorkshire instead.
The centre of the tour is Castle Howard's 2026 A Dickens of a Christmas, with two hours set aside for the House, Courtyard, shops and a warming drink.
Afterwards we continue to Malton for lunch, travel through winter North Yorkshire and finish with time in Helmsley. Chocolates and Christmas music are part of the day from the moment we collect you in York.
The Christmas route
A grand house, good food and a winter market town.
York → Castle Howard → Malton → winter North Yorkshire → Helmsley → York
Malton
Our lunch stop, with time to choose your own festive or Yorkshire food and look around the town.
Winter Yorkshire
A drive through North Yorkshire as the short winter afternoon begins to fade.
Helmsley
Time for the market square, independent shops and something warm before the return to York.
A private Christmas day
The festive touches stay. The coach timetable does not.
Castle Howard has a fixed timed entry, so that part of the day needs to run to plan. The rest can still breathe. We can adjust lunch, photo stops and the time spent in Malton or Helmsley where the day allows.
- No strangers joining your tour
- Private vehicle for up to 4 guests
- York pick-up and return
- Christmas music for the drive
- Chocolates waiting in the car
Before you book
What's included.
The tour price covers your private vehicle, driver-guide and the Christmas route from York. Castle Howard admission is separate.
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- York-area pick-up and return
- Private tour for up to 4 guests
- Castle Howard, Malton and Helmsley route
- Christmas music in the car
- Chocolate Christmas welcome
- Castle Howard Christmas admission
- Food and drink
- Christmas shopping or personal purchases
Your Christmas day
How the seven hours work.
Pick-up in York
We collect you from your hotel or agreed York-area pick-up point. Chocolates are waiting and the Christmas music starts on the road.
Castle Howard
The important fixed point of the day. Your tour is planned around an 11:00 Christmas House entry, with two hours at Castle Howard.
Malton
A short drive to Malton for a relaxed lunch and a little time around the town. Food and drink are paid separately, so you choose what suits you.
Winter North Yorkshire
Back on the road through the countryside towards Helmsley as the winter light begins to change.
Helmsley
Time for the market square, independent shops and something warm to drink before we head back to York.
Return to York
We return you to your agreed York drop-off point, normally around 17:15–17:30 depending on traffic and the day.
Castle Howard is the fixed point.
The 11:00 timed entry matters, but the rest of the day can adapt sensibly around traffic, weather and your group.
Castle Howard tickets
Please check with us before buying admission.
Castle Howard Christmas admission is not included in the £402.80 tour price. The Christmas House uses timed entry, and this tour is designed around an 11:00 entry.
Check that your Highwayman Tours date is available first. We can then make sure the Castle Howard timing lines up before you buy the separate admission tickets.
Common questions
Before you book.
How much does A Very Yorkshire Christmas cost?
The full price is £402.80 for your private group of up to four guests. That works out at £100.70 per person when four guests travel. The FareHarbor booking fee is included.
When does the Christmas tour run?
The seasonal tour runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, subject to live availability.
Is Castle Howard admission included?
No. Castle Howard Christmas admission is booked and paid separately. Please coordinate the 11:00 timed entry with us before buying your tickets.
Why does the Castle Howard time matter?
The tour is built around an 11:00 Castle Howard entry and allows two hours there. That gives the rest of the seven-hour route a sensible structure without rushing the main Christmas stop.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Every booking is private for your own group, with a maximum of four guests. No other passengers join the tour.
Where do you pick us up?
York-area collection can be arranged from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed pick-up point.
Are food and drink included?
No. Malton is the main lunch stop, but food and drink are paid directly by guests so you can choose what you want on the day.
How do I check whether my date is available?
Use the live FareHarbor calendar above or select Check availability. Both are linked only to A Very Yorkshire Christmas.
Highwayman Tours Journal
More Yorkshire ideas for your trip.
Useful reading if you're planning more time in Yorkshire before or after your Christmas tour.
Christmas in Haworth From York
A winter guide to Brontë Country, Haworth and a Yorkshire Christmas day from York.
Read the guide →Best Day Trips From York Without a Car
Yorkshire destinations you can visit from York without hiring a car.
Explore the guide →Private Yorkshire Tours From York: What to Expect
How a private day works and how it differs from a coach trip.
Read the full guide →A Very Yorkshire Christmas
Castle Howard. Malton. Helmsley. Your group.
Check the seasonal calendar and choose the date that works for you.
£402.80
private group up to 4
£100.70 per person based on 4 guests · FareHarbor fee included