One of the “Treasure Houses of England”, Harewood is a beautiful Georgian house sitting in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside. From its ornate rooms filled with history to its 100 acres of exquisite gardens, there are plenty of jewels for you to discover at Harewood House. Built for wealthy plantation owner, Edwin Lascelles, Harewood took ten years to complete. The house, together with its grounds designed by famous landscape architect, Capability Brown, was an imposing show of power and wealth. Today the house is owned by an independent trust with the aim to preserve the buildings, gardens, woods and park as a place of historic interest and natural beauty.
Harewood House
Harewood House
Harewood House
What's on
Take a tour of the house and see paintings by masters of the Italian Renaissance, family portraits by Gainsborough and a fine collection of china. Wander downstairs and you’ll find the old kitchen holding workshops, tastings and cookery demonstrations ready to tickle your taste buds. Head out into the grounds to explore 100 acres of greenery, with everything from a terrace and walled garden to a lake and Himalayan garden. Feed the penguins in the renowned Bird Garden, join the deer safari, go on a bird watching tour or visit the working farm. With a calendar packed with special events, including motor shows and concerts, don’t forget to check the website to find out what’s happening on your visit.
Want to get a different view of the house? If you’re visiting at the weekend, take to the lake for a boat trip in The Capability. It’s a great opportunity to have a break from exploring the grounds, sit back and enjoy the scenery
Essential information
Facilities
The trust has done everything it can to provide facilities that will make your visit go smoothly but, for security and conservation reasons, there are some restrictions. For example, once you’re inside the house you’ll have to leave any large bags at the House Desk, only courtesy pushchairs can be used and use of mobile phones is not permitted.
Accessibility
Sitting on a slope, with steps into the main building and some uneven areas in the grounds, the house may present some access difficulties. However, there are disabled parking spaces, courtesy wheelchairs are provided for use inside the house and in the grounds, service dogs are welcome, plus assistance is always on hand.
Eating and drinking
Want to take a break from exploring Harewood or end your day with a delicious meal? You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and pubs to choose from at the house and in the nearby area.
If you build up an appetite exploring Harewood’s heritage, there are two places you can take a break. Head to the Courtyard Café to try a menu made up of homegrown Harewood produce. Take a trip to the Terrace Tearooms for great views of the grounds with your coffee and cake. Or, if you fancy bringing your own food, spread out on the lawn for a leisurely picnic.
As Harewood sits in 100 acres, you’ll need to drive to nearby villages for dining options. Shoulder Of Mutton is an old country pub offering British classics, as well as international favourites, all freshly prepared and containing the best local ingredients. If you fancy fish and chips, head to Charlie Brett's at The Allerton who have been serving up the classic dish since 1919.
Getting to Harewood House
Set in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, it’s best to plan your journey to Harewood House, especially if you’re taking public transport.
By car
Harewood is located off the junction of the A61/A659 on the Leeds/Harrogate road. Parking is free and there are plenty of spaces, even during peak times.
By bus
If you’re heading to Harewood House from Leeds, hop on the number 36 bus. They run every 15 minutes during the day on Monday to Friday, and every 30 minutes on Sunday. The journey takes around 40 minutes.
By train
Leeds station is just under 30 minutes’ drive away. Hop in a taxi or bus and you’ll be at Harewood House in under an hour.