SE3244 : Cottage by the main road at Harewood - datestone
taken 2 years ago, near to Harewood, Leeds, England
The 350 hectare estate surrounding Harewood House in Lower Wharfedale, West Yorkshire is a grade I listed park (list entry 1001218). The following is based on extracts from the statutory listing but excludes detailed mention of the main house itself.
Harewood was a recognised country estate from Norman times. After several changes of ownership including the Wentworth family, it was bought by Henry Lascelles, Earl of Harewood in 1738 and has remained with his descendants ever since.
The parkland was laid out by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1772-80 with alterations and additions c.1800 by Humphry Repton. It includes a home farm, fishing lake, redundant church, ruined castle, extensive woodland, and over 40 listed buildings and structures besides the main Grade I listed house. The formal gardens nearer the main house were designed by Richard Woods and Thomas White, and the terraced garden of 1844-51 by Charles Barry.
Although the family charges an admission fee to the private estate, there are several public rights of way through the estate, including a circular walk completed with a permissive footpath along the eastern edge parallel to the A61.