Recycling readers brought to book by cottage enterprise

Proceeds from the scheme, which began a fortnight ago, will be farmed back into the Harewood House Trust, benefiting education, the gardens, the bird garden, the house and collections. The idea is that people who buy books from the shop can either keep them or once they have finished reading them donate them back to Harewood. Money raised will also be used to expand regular reading groups, talks and activities and opportunities for visitors to inspire a love of books. Harewood is looking for more volunteers to run the book shop. Mike Schafer, Harewood’s new chief executive, said he opened a similar offer at Culzean Castle, Scotland, and wants to repeat the success at Harewood. He said: “There is a great range of books for all and an area to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee whilst browsing the shelves. We are using paper cups – which can be recycled in the Walled Garden for growing seedlings – it’s a nice idea and one that we think works well here at Harewood.”

The house, which is situated between Leeds and Harrogate, was built in the mid-18th century and has interiors by Robert Adam, furniture by Thomas Chippendale and paintings by JMW Turner.