Harewood House launches jam-packed summer programme including new walks, exhibitions and drive-in cinemas

Visitors can now go to the tourist attraction again throughout the week, and the Harewood House Courtyard Café has reopened for takeaway.

This is the first part of a new UP+OPEN programme being launched for the Harewood grounds - aimed at encouraging a diverse range of visitors to the site throughout the summer.

The 50-year-old Harewood Bird Garden is set to reopen along with the Courtyard shop on April 12 in line with coronavirus restrictions.

A new three-mile circular walk which unlocks new parts of the Harewood site for the first time will follow in mid-May, allowing visitors to see stunning new views of Harewood and beyond.

Dubbed 'Together We Are' by graphic artist Anthony Burrill, the tri-sectioned walk will feature six flag artworks and offer the North Woods, the South View and the Lakeside Tour.

The circular route will take in All Saint's Church's tombs, a secret tunnel in the North Woods and a newly-located horsebox.

It will open up Harewood's East Terrace and South View for the first time, and the Lakeside Tour will offer the Bird Garden, Himalayan Garden and Bothy and Walled Garden.

Harewood House is also bringing it's pop-up play back and Harewood's Woodland Wonderland will feature willow mazes and tunnels which opens up more of the site to families.

In a culture drive, Harewood have teamed up with Leeds based Diasporian Stories Research group to bring to life the story of Harewood's first black member of staff - George ‘Bertie’ Robinson.

He travelled to Leeds at 13 years old to work for the Lascelles family, and the display, Bertie Robinson: The Footman from St Vincent, will launch in the Yellow Drawing Room from May 17.

It is part of an annual series designed to celebrate and share the histories of people of African descent with Yorkshire connections.

Bertie lived at Harewood from the year 1893 to 1922 and letters, diaries and photographs will chart his life, as well as exploring some of the Lascelles’ links to the West Indies.

Launching in early summer, Heritage Corner will bring their unique brand of insightful Black History Walks to Harewood following its regular events in Leeds city centre.

The walking story, A Storm at Harewood, goes on sale mid-April and is stretched across the house and grounds exploring black history and hidden connections to Harewood.

Other events returning to the Harewood estate include The Great British Food Festival for the late spring bank holiday weekend, and the Luna Drive-In Cinema between June 3 and June 21 - offering a number of family favourites.

--> Tickets on sale now to watch a movie under the stars this summer at Harewood House

Harewood House will also host Mamma Mia! in an outdoor performance of the West End hit from August 13 to 30.

--> Mamma Mia! coming to Harewood House for first ever open-air show - how to get tickets

In the coming weeks, a new series of Harewood experiences are set to launch which include summer twilight on the terrace with live music, bird watching tours, behind-the-scenes access to Harewood's attic rooms and below stairs, and early evening boat trips with zoologists and gardeners.

Harewood House Trust director Jane Marriott said: "Covid-19 has changed, perhaps permanently, how we live and how we enjoy our time.

"After such a difficult year, we are delighted to welcome everyone back to Harewood for our UP+OPEN 2021 programme to take advantage of our wonderful site to its fullest – discover new parts of Harewood they’ve never seen before and offer a timely moment for both fun and exploration, or more mindful calm and respite.

"Our Open History programme continues our commitment to being open and transparent about Harewood’s past as part of a bigger commitment to ensure Harewood is a place for everyone. We cannot change the past, but we can use it as a stark, unequivocal truth to build a fairer, equal future."

Tickets for Harewood’s 2021 season are now on sale, with tickets for May 17 onwards being released when the government moves forwards with its roadmap.

--> Leeds man shares stunning photo of roadside ice sculpture near Harewood House