Harewood House
At the beginning of December we joined friends on a visit to Harewood House near Leeds. Given the time of year we were expecting it to be in full festive swing and we were not disappointed, as you will see further down the post.
The journey down the drive towards Harewood House is very impressive. Acres of beautifully kept grassland, with herds of free range sheep wandering around happily. To access the car park you drive directly past the house, which is stunning.
Playground at Harewood House
The playground is exceptionally good. I would in fact go as far to say it is one of the best we have visited. There is plenty for under 7’s to explore but the main draw for us was the over 7’s adventure playground which was exhilarating and challenging for our slightly older children, who are usually not as well catered for at other similar attractions. There are slides, zip wires , climbing frames and much more.
Check out of Harewood House vlog for great coverage of what’s on offer
Penguins at Harewood House
The penguins may seem like an unusual addition to the grounds, but there is infact a lovely selection of birds to see at Harewood House, including flamingos, parrots and owls. We were lucky enough to be at the penguin pool for feeding time. The keeper gave an interesting and easy to follow talk on the penguins as he fed them and the children were thrilled to see the penguins dive and squabble for the fishy treats.
Christmas at Harewood House
The house itself was decorated in the theme of a Victorian Christmas. The children were given a quiz to fill in as we toured from room to room the children, which once completed they exchanged at the gift shop for a candy cane.
Harewood House address
Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
Harewood House tickets and opening hours
All information surrounding your visit, including ticket prices and opening hours, can be found here
If you are thinking of ideas for family days out in Yorkshire then check out our reviews on Bolton Abbey and Mother Shiptons Cave for inspiration. Another great Christmas adventure in York can be found at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming in York. Or go over the border to Manchester to visit their great Christmas Markets.
