Castle Howard Unveils Interactive Play Installation by Yorkshire Artist Pippa Hale
Visitors exploring York's renowned historic estate can now experience a hands-on art exhibit designed for all ages. Playshapes: Castle Constructors has officially opened, bringing a tactile, architecture-inspired experience into a rarely accessed portion of the grounds.
Designed by Yorkshire-based artist and sculptor Pippa Hale, the installation features five large-scale coloured cubes. These one-metre blocks break down into geometric shapes including steps, triangles, cylinders, and prisms. Visitors of all ages are invited to rearrange the elements into temporary structures like dens, towers, and follies before they are reset at the end of each session.
Exploring the Historic Colonnade and Vanbrugh's Tercentenary
The interactive installation is located in the Colonnade area of the House—a unique space that has typically remained closed to the public. This part of the building carries deep history, having been heavily impacted by the severe fire of 1940.
The project forms part of a wider sequence of events commemorating the tercentenary of Sir John Vanbrugh, the estate's original architect. Hale's work draws direct inspiration from Vanbrugh's grand architectural legacy.
This installation is one of three artistic responses featured during the Vanbrugh 300 celebrations. Alongside Playshapes, visitors can view Staging the Baroque: Vanbrugh at Castle Howard, a curated exhibition inside the House designed by architect Roz Barr. Later in the season, a new public sculpture by artist Es Devlin titled Library of the Four Winds will debut at the Temple of the Four Winds within the gardens.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Families visiting the estate can also explore complementary seasonal activities. The nearby Castle Howard Arboretum is hosting a series of mini-beast themed events for the half-term holiday, and visitors can catch a glimpse of a newly arrived red squirrel in the estate's enclosure.
Access to Playshapes: Castle Constructors is included with standard admission. For further details on current schedules and bookings, visitors can consult the official Castle Howard website.
To discover more cultural highlights and upcoming exhibitions across the area, you can browse recommendations on Musemap, explore the interactive city map, or check the latest exhibition listings.
