Harewood Houses announces its May bank holiday schedule

From May 23, the venue is brimming with activities such as Mini Beast Safaris, bug hotel building, lawn games, and numerous play spaces.

Inside the house, the Collections Care team has curated an array of engaging pursuits, including an indoor insect discovery programme, conservation insight sessions, and a bug trail.

In addition to these, crafty youngsters can engage in creating their wildlife-themed crafts.

The festive atmosphere continues with classic lawn games in the gardens and grounds from 10am to 6pm daily, promising fun for both the young and the young-at-heart.

May half term adventures at Harewood (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)

An in-house “Bugs and Beasties House Hunt” featuring tiny yet troublesome creatures is scheduled from 10.30am to 3.30pm, alongside interactive wildlife crafts in the Servants Hall.

Dedicated time slots from Monday through Friday have been set for the “Minibeast Safari” from 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm, where families can explore meadows, learning about the vital role of the smallest residents in maintaining the ecosystem.

Those intrigued by conservation can join the Collections Care Team daily for an hour-long “Conservation in Action” session in the Garden Room, starting at 1.30pm.

Here, methods to protect treasures from bugs will be showcased.

Nature Safari Bags packed with binoculars, compass, torch, magnifying glass, and a map of Harewood will be issued daily from the Membership and Information Hut, facilitating personal adventures from 10am to 4pm.

The Great British Food Festival (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)

Come the weekend on May 30 and May 31 from 10.30am to 12pm, families can indulge in building a bug hotel for pollinators on the North Lawn.

The Great British Food Festival returns to Harewood for the bank holiday weekend (May 23-May 25), offering a melange of local and speciality food and drink.

The festival promises live entertainment, children’s activities, chef demonstrations, various competitions, and an abundance of hot food vendors.

The aromatic celebration goes beyond food by incorporating Great Britain’s rich culinary diversity and a few exotic surprises, offering something for everyone.

To keep the younger audience engaged, the food festival has introduced roaming entertainers, mini-challenges, a kids’ stage, and family bingo, ensuring an all-day enchanted affair for families.

The artist Charlotte Verity will grace the venue with her meticulously observed studies of plants and flowers.

Bugs and Beasties House Hunt (Image: Tom Arber and Harewood House Trust)

Her work will be exhibited across five state rooms, subtly guiding the audience through seasonal transformations.

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Capturing nature’s cyclic essence, the exhibition invites visitors to delve into the intricate beauty of nature throughout the year.

Children can navigate through the exhibition space with a free Charlotte Verity-inspired activity booklet, trying their hand at an assortment of artistic skills inspired by the paintings.

Whether you choose to explore the vast gardens and parks or wish to become an honorary member of the Collections Care Team, the activities are said to promise a “day full of creativity and discovery for families in the enchanting realm of Harewood House”.