North Yorkshire's most famous stately home is marking its 300th birthday this year - with celebrations which could steal the limelight from the Greenwich Millennium Dome.

Castle Howard: Millennium celebrations planned

The famous building, brought to the forefront of public knowledge through its starring role in the classic TV drama Brideshead Revisited, is hosting events throughout the year to mark the anniversary.

And the celebrations will draw parallels with the Millennium Dome as the magnificent home, near Malton, was the first private house in England to feature such a structure.

The plans for the celebrations have been outlined by Ryedale district councillors who have been invited to play a part in the anniversary.

They include a special exhibition which marks the 300 years of Castle Howard's history. A Domes 2000 display, to be held in the South-East wing, will not only outline the building of Castle Howard and its dome by Sir John Vanbrugh, but it will also present a history of domes and their meaning throughout the world.

Ryedale District Council members are being asked this week to consider pledging £1,000 in sponsorship to play a part.

They have been asked to include a display panel concentrating on local and public life in the exhibition.

Castle Howard stands on the site of Henderskelfe Castle, which was gutted by fire in 1693. Vanbrugh, who subsequently built Blenheim Palace, and Nicholas Hawksmoor, who was associated with Greenwich Palace, both had a hand in the design of the house.

see COMMENT 'Closer to Dome'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.