THE stately home immortalised both TV and film versions of Brideshead Revisited is celebrating a recession-busting year.
It had been feared that the credit crunch and worsening economy could have led to a drop in income for Castle Howard near Malton.
But instead, it benefited from the "staycation" phenomenon, as many cash-strapped holidaymakers stayed in Britain instead of going abroad - and visitor numbers were up by 17 per cent.
Simon Howard, chairman of Castle Howard Estate, said that this time last year, he had been "somewhat discouraged" about the prospects for 2009, but the pessimism had been unfounded.
He added: "Other aspects of the operation at Castle Howard have also shown a better result and, as such, I am going into this Christmas and New Year with a confidence that a year ago was unthinkable."
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