by M.A. Dal Cero

Created on: May 19, 2010

Harewood House is located in the village of Harewood, near the city of Leeds in central Yorkshire. Winner of prestigious awards such as Enjoy England's Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2009 and BBC Gardener's World's Best Garden to Visit 2010, Harewood offers visitors an impressive number of things to see and do. From the house itself and its picturesque gardens and grounds to exciting events and exhibitions, Harewood is the ideal destination for families, couples, art and history buffs, and anyone in search of an enjoyable day out in the heart of Yorkshire.

-Harewood House

According to the Harewood website, Harewood House dates back to the mid-18th century, when Edwin Lascelles commissioned its building with the money his father made in the West Indian sugar trade. The house has remained in the Lascelles family for 250 years and today, the Earl and Countess of Harewood are the most recent residents to call the aptly dubbed, “St. Petersburgh Palace on a Yorkshire hill” their home.

In 1998, Harewood was awarded Designated Museum status and as a result, a magnificent collection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and furniture is on display in the house. In addition, visitors can explore a number of rooms, including the Old Library, Lord Harewood's Sitting Room, the Music Room, and Below Stairs, where Harewood's service staff worked and lived. Guests can choose either guided or self-guided tours, and Harewood also offers specialist talks and tours for those interested in learning more about specific aspects of the house and the Lascelles family.

-Harewood House Gardens and Grounds

Headed by Horticulture Week's 2008 Professional Gardener of the Year, Trevor Nicholson, Harewood's numerous gardens are known throughout England as some of the country's finest. Harewood boasts nearly 100 acres of gardens chock full of plants from all corners of the world, and visitors can enjoy walks and tours through gardens such as the Himalayan Garden, the Lakeside Garden, and the Walled Garden.

One of Harewood's most fascinating gardens is the Bird Garden, which is home to over 90 species of endangered and threatened birds, as well as those whose futures are uncertain. A walk through the Bird Garden will bring visitors past aviaries housing a variety of birds, such as penguins, flamingos, and Red Kites. Guests are also invited to help feed the penguins during their visit, and Bird Adoption is available to assist Harewood in meeting the cost of running the Bird

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