Harewood House: All in the best possible taste

In Brief.

Harewood is an imposing country house in West Yorkshire, designed, furnished and landscaped by the best 18th century architects, furniture makers and garden designers that money could buy. The result is impressive, with the carefully balanced house overlooking restrained formal gardens and rolling parkland. Inside, the interiors are grand without becoming too showy, and include sensitively displayed artworks, old and new. All this good taste was funded off the back of sugar plantations in the West Indies, as is reflected on explicitly inside the house and in some artworks.

Harewood House from the Terrace.

What's Here?

Harewood house is surrounded by a variety of landscaped gardens.  Immediately to the rear of the property is the terrace (pictured), which is fine in itself, but perhaps most noteworthy for its wider views over rolling countryside. The terrace cafe provides a civilised location for taking it all in. However, there are also a variety of walks to other parts of the grounds, including a lakeside path, the lush Himalayan Garden, and a walled kitchen garden that can also be reached by boat.  It would be a pity to go both ways by boat, as the lakeside walks are pleasant and the Himalayan Garden is not to be missed.

The house itself can be viewed from grounds at either side, and looks comfortable in its own skin from any angle.  Inside, there is access to the public and private rooms of the ground floor (when entered from the front) and the substantial below-stairs areas that kept the show on the road for those fortunate enough to belong upstairs.  The state rooms include libraries, drawing rooms and the living quarters of Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V, who married into the resident Lascelles family.  These spaces are uniformly well maintained, and feature custom made Chippendale furniture.

The Himalayan Garden

The house also hosts many works of art.  This includes collections acquired by the family over time, with paintings and porcelain in permanent collections displayed in various rooms and in The Gallery, the largest room in the house. However, there are also temporary collections from current artists, lending variety to a visit. Unlike some country houses that dabble in art displays, care has been taken not to end up with a hotch-potch.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 53 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Price: $$

Parking: On-site parking is included.  

Food and Drink: There are several different eateries in the house and grounds; the terrace cafe in particular is blessed with fine views.

Retail therapy: There are several outlets in the house and outbuildings, including a secondhand bookshop.

Child Friendly: There is a substantial adventure play area in the grounds near the house.

Toilets: Yes - throughout the site.

Do it justice in: 3 hours

Inside-Outside: 40:60.


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