By Caitlin Constable
The 17th May, the day the UK began step 3 of reopening to the public. Everyone has been waiting for this moment since the lockdown was first announced back in January 2021. The 3rd step means that indoor hospitality, ranging from cinemas to museums to parks, will re-open once again to the public. Reopening of the UK contains 4 steps before the UK will be completely back to normal.
Since April 12th the outside world opened up to the UK, pubs were allowed to host outside only but this has now changed, and they can now open up from the inside. One particular venue that was able to open back up to the public was Harewood House.
From the moment you arrive, Harewood House captures your imagination and feeds your curiosity. It’s a place filled with art, culture and heritage which continues to develop and thrive today.
The house sits in the heart of Yorkshire and is one of the treasure houses of England. Harewood House is a historic building, built in the 1770s, by Edward Lacelles. It has been home to the Lascelles family since it was built, reflecting the changing tastes and styles of the past 250 years. Harewood House is also home to the first contemporary art gallery to be opened in a country house.
Still owned by the Lascelles family, the house has now reopened its doors to visitors, who wish to explore its exquisite rooms, gardens and award-winning terraces.
One of the Treasure Houses of England, the historic Georgian property sits within “Capability” Brown designed landscape with remarkable views from the award-winning Terraces. The inside will leave you blown away by the rare Chippendale furniture and jaw-dropping interior designs in the State Rooms.
When visiting make sure you leave time to explore the well-trodden corridors of Below Stairs. A place where young kitchen hands can dress up and discover life as a servant, or you can explore the changing program of contemporary art exhibitions in the Terrace Gallery. The Terrace Gallery hosts a changing program of exhibitions and has welcomed artists including Sir Sidney Nolan, Antony Gormley, and Henry Moore.
‘The building is just beautiful'
Emily Scott
Outside, an Italianate Terrace, designed by Sir Charles Barry in the 1840s, stretches along the southern aspect of the House and provides stunning views over Yorkshire’s most beautiful landscape and lake. Crafted by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, Harewood’s landscape encompasses over 1000 acres and represents one of Brown’s most famous vistas.
Away from the formal gardens, Harewood also boasts the naturalistic Himalayan Garden, which was redeveloped by Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson. A massive difference from the formality of the Terrace, this space includes rare and exotic plants from Himalayan region.
With bags of space to run around, a massive adventure playground, penguins, flamingos and parrots there’s no shortage of adventure for kids of all ages.
It’s the outside that draws most of the visitors during the seasonal years, who come especially to see the Harewood Bird Garden. Here, you’ll find more than 30 different species of exotic birds from all around the world, including tiny Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, blue and gold macaws and the endangered Palm cockatoo. These animals could even be adopted by the victors, to help the threatened birds and help support the bird gardens conservation work!
Since reopening to the public, the house has been packed full of customers excited to see the all the wildlife, the art and exquisite art that the house is so famous for.
‘The building is just beautiful, and I love the history that comes with it. I have been wanting to visit for a while now but due to lockdown this has not been possible. My favourite part was getting to watch the penguins being fed and getting to watch them dive under the water' said Emily Scott, 24, Knaresborough, after she went to visit the house on 17th May.
'My favourite part was getting to watch the penguins being fed and getting to watch them dive under the water.'
Emily Scott
Harewood House allows for those who want to apply for membership. This membership as well supporting a local charity, entitles you to:
Unlimited free access to Harewood House; its unique collections, inspiring landscapes and exciting programmed of events.
Exclusive ‘Members Only’ days, giving you first-sight of our exhibitions, including the hugely successful Christmas at Harewood.
Priority booking for external events and workshops.
Annual Members’ Newsletter plus monthly e-newsletters: with all the news and information you need to make it ‘Your Harewood’.
The money gained from the membership goes back into helping to maintain the house for them to be allowed to stay open for the public. For more information on prices visit https://harewood.org/visit/membership/
