Harewood and around the Harewood Estate

The grand old houses of West Yorkshire tend to be in the form of 'Halifax' houses (such as East Riddlesden Hall). Self-made yeomen and merchant clothiers built their mansions to show the world that they'd made their 'brass'. But Harewood House, on the edge of Leeds, is more ambitious, and is still one of the great treasure houses of England.

Vision into Reality

The Harewood Estate passed through a number of wealthy hands during the 16th and 17th centuries, eventually being bought by the Lascelles family who still own the house today. Edwin Lascelles left the 12th-century castle in its ruinous state, to overlook the broad valley of the River Wharfe, but demolished the old hall. He wanted to create something very special in its place and hired the best architects and designers to turn his vision into grand reality. John Carr of York created a veritable palace of a house, in an imposing neoclassical style and laid out the estate village of Harewood too. The interior of the building was designed by Robert Adam, now best remembered for his fireplaces. Thomas Chippendale, born in nearby Otley, made furniture for every room, as part of the house's original plans. The foundations were laid in 1759; 12 years later the house was finished.

Inside the house are paintings by J M W Turner and Thomas Girtin, who both stayed and painted at the house. Turner was particularly taken with the area, producing pictures of many local landmarks. The sumptuous interior, full of family portraits, ornate plasterwork and silk hangings, however, is in sharp contrast to the world of those below stairs, whose life and work is depicted in the Old Kitchen and servants' quarters. The house sits in extensive grounds, which were preened and groomed to be every bit as magnificent as the house. They were shaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, the most renowned designer of the English landscape. In addition to the formal gardens, he created the lake and the woodland paths you take on this walk.

Like so many of England's stateliest homes, Harewood House has had to earn its keep in recent years. The bird garden was the first commercial venture, but now the house hosts a range of events throughout the year such as art exhibitions, vintage car rallies and even open-air concerts.

From the lay-by walk 50yds (46m) away from the village of Harewood, cross the road and walk right down the access track to New Laithe Farm. Pass left of the farm buildings to pick up a gravel track heading into the valley bottom. Go through a gate and bear half left up a field, towards Hollin Hall. Keep left of the buildings to pass Hollin Hall Pond.

Beyond the pond, swing left around the corner of Spring Wood and follow a track at the field-edge to the top corner. Through gates continue up the hill, the track later becoming enclosed and ending at a junction.

Go right along the crest of the hill to have easy, level walking on an enclosed sandy track (now following the Leeds Country Way). Keep straight ahead past a junction, through a gate. Skirt woodland to emerge onto a lane. Follow it right to reach the A61.

Cross the road to enter the Harewood Estate (via the righthand gate, between imposing gate-posts). Follow the broad track ahead, through landscaped parkland, soon getting views of Harewood House to the right. Enter woodland through a gate, turning immediately left after a stone bridge.

After 100yds (91m), bear right at a fork and keep with the main track. It later swings right, dipping across a stream and eventually reaching a crossing. Go right down to another junction and turn right again, the way curving left out of the trees to pass Carr House. Carry on at the edge of the park, then swing left again at the next junction, rising beside a high wall to meet a metalled drive. Bear left to a crossroads and keep ahead over a bridge and another crossing, climbing beside the Home Farm complex.

Follow the drive into the deer park, keeping right at the next junction. Continue through woodland until you come to the few houses that comprise the estate village of Harewood.

Cross the main A61 road and walk right, for 50yds (46m), to take a metalled drive just before the Harewood Arms Hotel. Beyond Maltkiln House, the way continues as a gated field track, with views over Lower Wharfedale. Carry on through a second gate for a further 350yds (320m) to a junction and go right over a cattle grid along a permissive bridleway, regaining the A659 beside the lay-by.