What’s on summer 2026: Harewood, Leeds has a showstopping summer of activities & events for families
Lights, camera, action! This summer, Harewood takes centre stage with a season dedicated to performance. Whether indoors or outdoors, there’s plenty of family fun, creativity and adventure waiting at Harewood.
Outside, step into Curtains Up! Outdoor Play on Sun Sides, a lively play zone complete with a performance area where imaginations can run wild, alongside pop-up tents packed with fun, performance-themed activities for all ages.
Harewood’s family den-building challenge offers a hands-on adventure focused on teamwork, creativity and outdoor exploration. Younger visitors are catered for too, with Adventure Babies: Circus Special and Tree Toddlers, which provide sensory play experiences designed for Harewood’s smallest guests.
Inside Harewood House, join Snaps Through Time, a fascinating weekly talk where visitors can discover the art of photograph conservation and learn how treasured images are carefully preserved for future generations. Cecil Beaton: Staging Icons, the newest exhibition, is accompanied by Spot Simba the Pug, a playful I-Spy trail featuring the photographer’s beloved dog. Just outside on the Terrace, young adventurers can head to Thomas’ Terrace School to learn how they conserve their historic stonework.
Harewood Holiday Club, led by the learning team, offers themed days ranging from minibeasts to Anglo-Saxons, providing unforgettable opportunities for excitement, discovery and creativity. For one week in August, Tashi Lhunpo Monks will bring vibrant Tibetan Buddhist traditions to life through free performances and family workshops.
Join and save all summer
With so much lined up to enjoy, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of Harewoods fantastic membership. Membership includes unlimited entrance to Harewood House, grounds and gardens, including everything happening this summer plus their incredible Christmas event. With a monthly fee from just £5.50pp (based on a 12 month contract), this offers fantastic value for individuals and families.
· Daily, 10am – 6pm
· Sun Sides
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
Families with children of all ages are invited to the Sun Sides field within the beautiful Grounds of Harewood for a day of theatrical fun, creativity and outdoor play. Young visitors can take to the stage, dress up, get creative, try their hand at circus skills and enjoy a range of outdoor games, with the Lake providing a stunning backdrop and the House serving as a grand stage set.
· Daily, 10.30am – 3.30pm
· Trail starts in the entrance hall of the house
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
Discover Simba the pug, the much-loved four-legged companion of celebrated photographer Cecil Beaton, in a playful I-spy trail through the magnificent State Floor. Inspired by Beaton’s affection for his pet, the activity encourages visitors of all ages to explore the historic interiors while searching for Simba hidden in unexpected corners and secret hiding places throughout the rooms.
Adventure Playscape, Sylvascope, Woodland Wonderland Willow Maze
· Daily, 10am – 6pm
· Across site
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
Set beneath the cool shade of the woodland canopy, these three magical outdoor play areas offer adventure and discovery for the whole family. The Adventure Playscape features climbing towers, bridges, slides, hideouts, swings and a zipwire, creating an exciting mix of physical and sensory play for children of all ages. Wander through the twisting pathways of the Woodland Wonderland Willow Maze, hidden amongst the trees, or explore Sylvascope, a unique treehouse experience tucked away in the enchanting woodland.
· Every Tuesday throughout the summer holidays, 2.30pm
· Meet in the entrance hall of the house
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
Join Harewood’s collections care team for an engaging talk exploring the fascinating history of photography, from the world’s earliest surviving image to the development of the modern camera. Featuring a selection of historic photographs from the collection, the session will uncover interesting photography facts while offering practical advice on how to care for and preserve photographs at home.
· Every Tuesday throughout the summer holidays, drop-in 11am – 3pm
· Walled garden
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
Families will have the opportunity to sow a seed to take home and grow. Guided by the gardens team, participants will learn how to care for their plants while discovering a variety of flowers and plants found throughout the Harewood gardens.
· Alternate Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the summer holidays 22, 27, July 5, 10, 19, 24 August and 2 September
· 11am – 3 pm, Sylvascope
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
In this outdoor challenge, families will work together to design and build their own woodland shelters using natural materials gathered from the surrounding landscape. Transform sticks, branches and woodland debris into a structure strong enough to withstand the elements.
· 28 and 29 July, 11, 12, 25 and 26 August, 10.30 – 2.30 pm
· The Terrace
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
A unique opportunity to help clean the outdoor statues on the Terrace. This hands-on activity gives younger visitors the chance to learn how we care for historic sculptures and preserve them for future generations. Under the guidance of the team, visitors will discover the careful techniques used to remove dirt and grime while protecting the stonework.
· 10,11,12,13,14 and 15 August
· Various locations across site and times
· Free, included in valid day ticket or membership
From Monday 10th to Saturday 15th August, visitors are invited to experience the vibrant traditions of Tibetan Buddhist culture through a series of free performances and hands-on family workshops led by monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.
· 13 August, 10.30 am – 12 pm
· Sylvascope
· 1 Adult + 1 Child, £12
Tree Toddlers is an outdoor play-based session for children under 5 & their grownups, offering space to discover, create & connect with the natural world. This summer, our session takes on a seasonal twist, celebrating sunshine, sensory play & the magic of the woodland in full bloom.
Discover more
Visit the Harewood House website for more details about visiting the house and gardens and for more information on what’s on this summer from July 19 to September 6 2026.
For the best value become a member and enjoy unlimited visits to the house and gardens, as well as all the summer activities plus their incredible Christmas event.