Harewood House & Gardens

Harewood House, Leeds

House

In 1759, Edwin Lascelles embarked on building Harewood House with the finest craftsmen of his time. York-born architect John Carr, renowned interior designer Robert Adam, England’s greatest furniture maker Thomas Chippendale, and visionary landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown were all employed. Visitors can see Renaissance masterpieces, family portraits by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Lawrence, and Richmond, along with a fine collection of Sèvres china and other delights.

Gardens & Grounds

Harewood boasts over 100 acres of gardens featuring a diverse array of plants from around the world, set within a magnificent landscape designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

Award-Winning Landscape

Harewood’s Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson, oversees the award-winning landscape. His goal is “to put Harewood at the top of the list as a place for garden-lovers to visit.” He manages projects across Harewood’s dazzling gardens, including the Terrace, the Lakeside Garden, the Himalayan Garden, and the Walled Garden.

Family Fun

Children can enjoy the Adventure Playground, which features slides, swings, and climbing frames. The café, picnic areas, ice cream kiosk, and toilets are conveniently close by. Additionally, visitors can explore the North Front, Woodland Wonderland next to All Saints Church, and the Sylvascope treehouse.

Art & Collections

Harewood House has a rich history of collaborating with contemporary artists and craftspeople. It is home to an exceptional collection of paintings, furniture, and ceramics. The collection includes masterpieces by Italian Renaissance artists, family portraits by Reynolds, Hoppner, and Lawrence, and modern art collected by the current Earl and Countess.

Edward ‘Beau’ Lascelles was a patron of JMW Turner, who, at the age of 22, painted the new house and its landscape. The family portraits were created by the fashionable artists of the time, and in the early 20th century, the 6th Earl collected numerous Renaissance paintings.

In 1767, Thomas Chippendale received a commission worth over £10,000 to furnish Harewood House, providing both sumptuous and functional pieces in a project spanning 30 years. Today, Harewood House houses some of the finest Chippendale furniture ever produced. Edward ‘Beau’ Lascelles also amassed a collection of French and Oriental porcelain, rivaling that of his contemporary, the future George IV.

Visitor Information

• Gardens and Grounds: 10am to 6pm
• House: 10.30am to 4pm
• Adventure Playground: 10am to 5pm
• Courtyard Café: 10am to 5.30pm
• Courtyard Shop: 10am to 5.30pm
• Secondhand Bookshop: 10.30am to 4.30pm
• Terrace Cafe: 10.30am to 4pm
• Ferry: 10.30am to 5pm
• Last entry to the Grounds: 5pm
• Last entry to the House: 3.30pm
• Last entry to the Ferry: 4.30pm

Buy Tickets Here

image: Simon Warner & Harewood House Trust