Harewood House Summary

• Address: Harewood, Leeds, LS17 9LG (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)113 218 1010
• Fax: +44 (0)113 218 1002
• Owner: The Earl of Harewood
• Administrator: The Earl of Harewood
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Harewood House website

After noting Adam's comments, Edwin decided to commission both architects, with the result that the central part of the house was designed by Carr whilst the two wings and the interiors were created by Adam. The plans were based on the then fashionable Palladian design. Foundations were laid in 1759 and the house finally became habitable in 1771, although the Gallery was not finished until a year later.

Edwin Lascelles commissioned the greatest names in the making of an English Country House, including Thomas Chippendale, to provide all the furniture.

During the 19th Century many changes were made to the House, most notably the extensions and alterations made by Charles Barry. These included the addition of a third storey, removal of the classical portico on the south side and the addition of the Terrace Garden between 1844 and 1848. Many interior changes were also made.

It was not until 1929-39 that the house was again remodelled by the sixth Earl and HRH Princess Mary. This time it was with an eye to restoration. Sir Herbert Baker, who had worked alongside Edwin Lutyens on the New Delhi project in India, was asked to design the alterations and improvements. On the architectural side, Adam's designs re-emerged as the dominating influence inside the house and other work included the re-hanging of paintings and room refurbishment schemes.

Following the precedent set by Princess Mary and the Sixth Earl, there is a continuing programme of restoration work in the house. The rediscovery of the original Chippendale mirrors prompted the restoration of the State Rooms between 1987 and 1991 as space was needed to display them.

For more information, they have an excellent and very descriptive Website, including a marvellous tour of the house.

Business and Hospitality

Harewood is easily accessible by road and is close to mainline rail stations and the Leeds Bradford International Airport. This combination of ready access and spectacular setting makes Harewood a unique venue for a wide range of events, including corporate hospitality, conferences, dinners, dinner-dances, wedding receptions and civil ceremonies.

Their other business related activities range from office leasing to a wide range of high profile sponsorship opportunities and even location filming facilities for the TV and film industries.

Opening Times - 2012

7 January - 30 March

• State Rooms - Closed
• Below Stairs (half term only 11th - 19th February) - 11 am - 4 pm
• Terrace Gallery - Closed
• Terrace Café - (weekends only & half term 11th - 19th February)
• Gardens, Grounds & Adventure Playground - 10 am - 4 pm
• Bird Garden* - 10 am - 2.30 pm
• Courtyard Café (limited menu weekdays) - 10 am - 4 pm
• Courtyard Shop - 10 am - 4 pm
• Bookshop - 11 am - 3 pm

31 March - 4 November: Daily Opening

• Gardens, Grounds & Adventure Playground - 10.00am - 6.00pm
• Bird Garden* - 10 am - 5.30 pm
• Courtyard Café - 10 am - 5.30 pm
• Courtyard Shop - 10.30 am - 5.30 pm
• Bookshop - 11 am - 3 pm

31 March - 30th September: Daily Opening

• State Rooms - 12 - 3 pm
• Below Stairs - 11 am - 4 pm
• Terrace Gallery - 11 am - 4 pm
• Terrace Café - 11 am - 5 pm

27th October - 4 November: Daily Opening

• State Rooms - 12 - 3 pm
• Below Stairs - 11 am - 4 pm
• Terrace Gallery - 11 am - 4 pm
• Terrace Café - 11 am - 5 pm

Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets) - 2012

• Adult - £15.30 (£14.00)
• Child - £7.70 (£7.00)
• Seniors - £14.30 (£13.00)
• Family (2+3) - £44.00 (£40.00)

Grounds and Below Stairs only

• Adult - £11.00 (£10.00)
• Child - £6.60 (£6.00)
• Seniors - £9.90 (£9.00)
• Family (2+3) - £33.00 (£30.00)

Groups (15+): Please telephone for details

* Prices are for Monday to Friday. Prices on weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays are slightly higher.

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Events for Harewood House

• Kite Festival - 19 May 2012 to 20 May 2012
  10 am - 4 pm: Kites and inflatables will fill the skies over Harewood, with sky dancing in variety of colours and shapes. Ariel displays and tricks will amaze you and there will also be many ground based activities and events too.
• Diamond Jubilee Weekend 'Street Party' - 02 June 2012 to 05 June 2012
  10.00 am - 4.00 pm: A 'Street Party' to celebrate with cleverly placed screens for you to watch TV coverage while enjoying a quintessential English bank holiday. Classic English food will be served at the Courtyard Café. Harewood has lots to offer on this very special occasion.
• Fathers Day Classic Car Rally with Yorkshire Post - 17 June 2012
  10 am - 4 pm: Hundreds of vintage and classic cars on display for a Father's Day treat. Ideal for all the family including competitions, an arena act and trophies to be awarded.
• Harewood Medieval Faire - 30 June 2012 to 01 July 2012
  10 am - 5 pm : This event has it all - jousting and archery, armoury displays, historical traders, crafts, cooking, clothing, Norman skirmish and encampments, puppet shows, medieval music, games, falconry and storytelling. There will be tours of the 12th Century All Saints Church and Gawthorpe Hall which is newly excavated. For the want the full experience there will be weekend camping ticket available and also a Medieval Banquet.
• Rolls Royce Rally - 05 August 2012
  A great day out for everyone - a gathering of some of the UK’s most prized cars and their proud owners. Something for enthusiasts and for those who just want a good day out!

• The Twits by Roald Dahl - 09 August 2012
  Outdoor theatre perfomance that will make children and adults laugh. Gives a whole new meaning to ‘Come-uppance’!
• Games in the Park - 11 August 2012 to 12 August 2012
  The regions cultural organisations are teaming up with Harewood to present a mix of sport and culture, including The Freerunners (from the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics 2012) whose display will amaze. They will demonstrate their skills using all that Harewood has to offer but you will need to be prepared to follow them. There will be two workshops available to learn some basic skills but these are pre-book only, see Harewood's website for details.
• The Sword in the Stone - 16 August 2012
  A delightful outdoor theatre production of a modern classic written by TH White perfect for adults and children.
• VW Festival - 18 August 2012 to 19 August 2012
  The VW Festival is one of Harewood’s largest events and has a beach theme over two days this year! There are activities for all the family - competitions and parades, trade stands, games and fun, overnight camping, and last but not least a huge selection of VWs.
• Black Beauty - 26 August 2012
  This spectacular production has been adapted by James Stone to suit a 21st century audience and takes place in more than one setting within the Harewood Estate - when the cast moves the audience follows! This is outdoor theatre as you’ve never experienced it before.

• Autumn Glory - 27 October 2012 to 04 November 2012
  10 am - 4 pm: Harewood's half term schedule includes indoor and outdoor events, perfect for all the family to take a chance for a final fling before the winter sets in.

Your Reviews of Harewood House

Ladies from the Huddersfield Owls (22 April 2007)

We seven ladies visited Harewood on 18th April and had a wonderful day. We arrived by bus so got in for half the price, were met at the gate and taken to the House in a little truck. We had some lunch, a walk round the bird gardens and then a guided tour round the house itself. This was wonderful. Then we went below stairs to see where the servants used to work. After a cup of tea in the cafe we were driven back to the main gate in time to catch the bus to Leeds. All the staff we came in contact with were very helpful and had time for us. We really appreciated their helpfulness. Many thanks for a good day

Jonty Clark (23 October 2005)

I cannot believe my wife and I have to pay £13 each to see an exhibition of watercolours! I have been looking forward to seeing 'Cotman in the North' for some time, and this morning I phoned to see how much the admission price was for the exhibition. I am most disappointed not to be going to see what I'm sure would have been a good exhibition. Why couldn't there have been a separate admission price for goodness sake? Editor: It is perfectly normal to have to pay the Admission Price for a stately home when there is an exhibition there as an additional attraction. How could they possibly control where the visitor goes once inside the grounds if there were separate prices?

See more reviews of Harewood House

Additional Info for Harewood House

• Parks
• Gardens
• Groups
• Playgrounds
• Dogs allowed
• Weddings
• Disabled Access
• Education
• Refreshments
• Picnics
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Conferences
• Filming
• Gifts
• Live Entertainment
• Shop
• Car Parking

Heritage Groups

• Historic Houses Association

Credit Cards Accepted

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• Barclays
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