Castle Howard
Begin at one of Yorkshire's most famous historic houses, surrounded by parkland, gardens and centuries of family history.
Live availability
Choose a date.
This calendar is for Castle Howard, Abbeys & North Yorkshire. Choose an available date and FareHarbor will take you into the secure booking process for this tour.
£312.70
private group up to 4
£78.18 per person based on 4 guests
Historic North Yorkshire
One great house, two ruined abbeys and a Yorkshire market town.
Start at Castle Howard, one of Yorkshire's best-known historic estates, before travelling north through the countryside towards Helmsley and Rievaulx.
Spend time in Helmsley, explore the great ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and finish at Byland Abbey before the journey back to York.
It gives you four very different places in one private day, without turning the tour into a race between stops.
There is no coach and no shared group. The vehicle and driver-guide are completely private for your own group of up to four guests.
The route
Castle Howard, Helmsley and two great Yorkshire abbeys.
York → Castle Howard → Helmsley → Rievaulx Abbey → Byland Abbey → York
Helmsley
Continue to this small North Yorkshire market town for a wander, refreshments or lunch before heading into the Rye valley.
Rievaulx Abbey
Explore one of England's greatest monastic ruins, hidden in a quiet valley below the North York Moors.
Byland Abbey
Finish among the remains of another great Cistercian abbey before travelling back through the countryside to York.
Completely private
History is better when you have time to look around.
Castle Howard and Rievaulx are not places you want to rush through. This tour gives you proper time at the main sites, with a planned route that can still adapt around your group.
If you want longer for photographs, lunch or simply taking everything in, we can usually adjust the pace within the seven-hour day.
- No strangers joining your tour
- Private vehicle for up to 4 guests
- Pick-up and return in York
- Time for lunch, photographs and comfort stops
- Reasonable flexibility around your group
Before you book
What's included.
Your booking covers the private vehicle, driver-guide, route planning and York-area collection and return.
- Private vehicle and local driver-guide
- York-area pick-up and return
- Private tour for up to 4 guests
- Castle Howard, Helmsley, Rievaulx and Byland route
- Route planning and local recommendations
- Reasonable flexibility during the day
- Castle Howard admission
- Rievaulx Abbey admission
- Other attraction admission
- Food and drink
- Personal purchases
Your day
What the seven hours look like.
Pick-up in York
We collect you from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed York-area pick-up point.
Castle Howard
Begin at Castle Howard with time to explore the house, gardens and estate according to the admission option you choose.
Helmsley
Continue north to Helmsley for a shorter stop, with time for lunch, refreshments or a wander around the town.
Rievaulx Abbey
Travel into the Rye valley and explore one of Yorkshire's greatest medieval ruins in its dramatic countryside setting.
Byland Abbey
Finish at Byland Abbey, with time to see the remains of the great west front and understand the scale of the medieval monastery.
Return to York
We bring you back to your agreed York drop-off point, normally around seven hours after collection.
This is a private tour.
Exact timings can change around attraction opening times, traffic, weather, your group and how long you would like at each stop.
Common questions
Before you book.
How much does the tour cost?
The full price is £312.70 for your private group of up to four guests. That works out at £78.18 per person when four guests travel. The FareHarbor booking fee is included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. The vehicle and driver-guide are completely private for your own group, with a maximum of four guests.
Where does the tour go?
The standard route is York, Castle Howard, Helmsley, Rievaulx Abbey and Byland Abbey before returning to York.
How long is the tour?
Around seven hours from collection in York to your return. Exact timings can change with traffic, attraction opening times and your group's pace.
Is Castle Howard admission included?
No. Castle Howard admission is not included in the tour price, so you can choose the admission option that best suits your visit.
Are the abbey entry fees included?
No. Attraction entry fees are not included unless clearly stated as part of your booking.
Do we get time for lunch?
Yes. Helmsley is a natural place for lunch or refreshments. The exact timing can be adjusted around your group and the pace of the day.
Where will you pick us up?
York-area collection can be arranged from your hotel, accommodation or another agreed pick-up point.
Can the day be flexible?
Yes. There is a planned route, but reasonable changes, comfort stops, photography stops and adjustments for your group's pace can usually be incorporated.
How do I check availability?
Use the live FareHarbor calendar above or select Check availability. Both are linked directly to this tour.
Highwayman Tours Journal
More historic Yorkshire from York.
Useful reading about Yorkshire's historic sites and exploring more of the county without needing to hire a car.
York to Fountains Abbey: Transport & Tour Options
Practical advice for visiting another of Yorkshire's great monastic sites from York.
Read the guide →Best Day Trips From York Without a Car
Historic sites, countryside and Yorkshire destinations you can reach from York without hiring a car.
Explore the guide →Private Yorkshire Tours From York: What to Expect
How a private tour works, how flexible the day can be and how it differs from a coach trip.
Read the full guide →Castle Howard, Abbeys & North Yorkshire
Castle Howard. Two great abbeys. Your group.
Check the live calendar and choose the date that works for you.
£312.70
private group up to 4
£78.18 per person based on 4 guests · FareHarbor fee included
Set the Tone Before You Travel
Add a little extra atmosphere before your Abbeys, Ruins & Reformation tour with this BBC Sounds listen.
Open on BBC Sounds