VISITING Harewood House is always a treat.
The 18th century house has art collections to rival the finest in Britain, and art is at the heart of the visitor experience this Christmas.
The grand country house, north of Leeds, is celebrating the Christmas Tree in a most unexpected way. Artists and makers from across Yorkshire and beyond are bringing a contemporary festive twist to the State Floor, creating trees - and ‘trees’ - inspired by the natural world, inter rituals and Harewood itself.
Long Live the Christmas Tree! will conjure the playfulness, joy and warmth of the season. The striking, imaginative creations sit well in this magnificent setting. The sights will enchant and delight.
Artists with work on show include paper artist and illustrator Andy Singleton, internationally-respected carnival costume designer Hughbon Condor, internationally respected art director and set designer Simon Costin and mixed media sculptor Yasemen Hussein.
Harewood offers a great day out for the whole family, the stunning decoration of the House continues Below Stairs, with activities for children and Harewood’s beautiful Christmas shop.
Visitors can take in the beautiful estate with winter strolls around the gardens and grounds, lit with thousands of twinkling lights. There are more than100 acres of gardens at Harewood. They are full of variety, with plants from all over the world.
For a perfect Christmas get-together, visitors can meet friends at one of this year’s late evenings, every Friday and Saturday to 23 December and take in Long Live the Christmas Tree! after dark.
These special evenings offer the perfect opportunity to see all the Christmas lights sparkle. You can stroll along the Terrace and see the beautiful Christmas decorations shining.
Enjoy a cosy winter walk along the North Park or the Lakeside Path, which is full of festive lighting, ending at the Bothy where you can savour a warming drink and toast your own marshmallow on the fire pits. Throughout the attraction seasonal snacks and drinks from cafés and kiosks will keep visitors warm.
On selected Wednesdays throughout the festive season ‘relaxed mornings’ take place in the House, for those wanting to experience Long Live The Christmas Tree! in a calmer environment.
For an extra special festive treat, book a Festive afternoon tea by the Harewood Food & Drink Project at the Terrace Tearoom.
Harewood offers a great day out for the whole family: the stunning decoration of the House continues Below Stairs, with activities for children and Harewood’s beautiful Christmas Shop.
The shop will be open for late night festive shopping, from exclusively designed cards and handmade decorations to limited edition keepsakes and gourmet hampers, you’ll find the perfect gifts to place under the tree for family and friends.
Father Christmas will be welcoming families for a cosy festive experience throughout December, settling in the Pastry Room Below Stairs to meet parents, carers and children for an authentic, atmospheric and memorable encounter.
Small groups of eight children, and their grown-ups, will join Santa for half an hour, with a story, a chat with every child, a special gift and a family photo opportunity too. Everyone will feel the Christmas spirit among the twinkling lights and beautiful decorations in his rooms, making this an experience you’ll cherish. This event is extremely popular and place are being snapped up fast.
Outside in the grounds Harewood’s adventure playground is one of the most exciting in Yorkshire. With swings and slides, aerial walkways and climbing nets, children of all ages can enjoy hours of fun sliding, swinging, climbing and spinning.
Made up of two main play areas, one suitable for toddlers and the other, much larger one, for older children, the playground is a haven for children to let their imagination and energy run wild.
Harewood’s famous Bird Garden houses species of rare and exotic birds from all over the world, including the popular penguins, elegant flamingos and cheeky parrots. Penguin feeding time is not to be missed.
The bird garden is home to more than 40 species of birds from around the world including the critically endangered Bali starling, charismatic and colourful parrots, as well as a colony of Humboldt penguins, one of the worlds’ largest owl species and a flock of Zebra finches.
Harewood is one of the Treasure Houses of England. The Treasure Houses of England group is a heritage consortium was founded in the early 1970s by nine of the foremost stately homes in England still in private ownership, with the aim of marketing and promoting themselves as tourist venues.
*Harewood's Festive Season runs to Monday January 2 2023
Day Tickets include access to Harewood’s festive season, including Long Live the Christmas Tree! Harewood’s Gardens + Grounds and Bird Garden. Adults from £14 | Child from £9
For details of each event and times visit harewood.org/whats’on; Book now at harewood.org/christmas-2022/
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