ONE of the country’s great stately homes is offering all the fun of the farm this coming Easter weekend.

Castle Howard near Malton – famed as Brideshead on TV and the silver screen – is hosting a petting farm, straw-bale maze and an animal trail, from April 14 to 17.

Visitors are being invited to meet a host of farmyard favourites, from a miniature pony and micropigs to rabbits, guinea pigs and alpacas – with experts on hand to introduce the animals.

“We have many farms with all kinds of animals and livestock right across the Castle Howard Estate, and farming is such an important part of life in Ryedale,” said marketing manager, Rachel Underwood.

“There’s something for children of all ages, from the straw bale maze, where visitors are challenged to race to the scarecrow standing at its heart, to a farmyard-themed Easter Trail around the gardens – with a delicious chocolate treat for anyone finding all of the animals on their trail sheet.”

Alongside the animals, visitors will also see all the signs of spring at Castle Howard, with boat trips and bird spotting on the Great Lake, a brass rubbing trail through Ray Wood which is bursting into blossom, and spring bulbs and flowers in full bloom.

The gardens at Castle Howard are open from 10am to 5pm and the house from 10.30am to 4pm. For details visit castlehoward.co.uk