No description Castle Howard is one of Britain's most magnificent estates. Commissioned by Charles, 3rd Earl of Carlisle in 1699, it took more than 100 years to build, thus spanning the lifetimes of three earls and numerous architects and craftsmen. Generations of Howards lived here and the family still owns and live in the Castle today. With its magificent building and gardens, Castle Howard is choice location for many movie and television film sets. Forty percent of the television production of Evelyn Waugh's novel 'Brideshead Revisited' was filmed here between 1979 and 1981. Apart from being a tourist attraction, Castle Howard makes signficant contributions to the local community by providing employment to some 100 permanent and 150 casual staff. It has its own artist-in-residence and art courses are held at Castle Howard throughout the year, which are open to the public.