6 THINGS TO DO ON A STAYCATION IN YORKSHIRE
1. Get outdoors
Focus on your health and wellbeing as you discover Yorkshire. Visitors to Harewood, for example, have access to 15 miles of footpath across the estate. These include sections of the Ebor and Leeds Country Way, as well as wonderful circular walks that take in spectacular views and vistas. Further afield, you can join sections of both the Dales and Pennine Way. Harewood was the location for the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2014 and has been used regularly since then by the Tour de Yorkshire, giving easy access to cyclists who want to recreate the peloton. There are also great photography and wildlife spotting opportunities.
2. Discover Yorkshire
Harewood’s location is one of its greatest assets, feeling remote and secluded, yet only a stone’s throw from busy nearby cities. Guests enjoy complementary tickets and access to historic Harewood House (used as a major set for ITV’s blockbuster series, Victoria) and grounds. There is a varied events programme, plus exhibitions of contemporary and renaissance art, a bird garden, farm experience and over 100 acres of exquisite formal gardens. We hope to trial safari style tours in 2021, allowing you to get up close to a wealth of wildlife and rare breed livestock. A stay at Harewood allows for easy day trips to the Yorkshire coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, York, Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon. Destinations as varied as Betty’s tea rooms, the Harrogate Turkish baths, Wensleydale Cheese, Malham Cove, Castle Howard, Harlow Carr, the ITV Emmerdale experience and Premier League football matches at Leeds United are also within striking distance.
3. Stay in luxury
Yorkshire offers all sorts of wonderful places to stay. Harewood Holidays, for example, has a unique collection of luxury self-catering holiday cottages set within the heart of the estate. The Grade II listed buildings, including former farm worker cottages and an ancient hunting lodge, have been lovingly refurbished. Each of the luxury cottages has its own distinctive style and décor (think mid-century modern Scandinavian living, and grand regal rooms inspired by Harewood House) with every one of them enjoying wonderful views of the estate. The properties cater for two to 12 people at a time and are available for short or week-long breaks. Many can be rented together for larger gatherings, such as weddings and family celebrations. Well-behaved dogs also receive a warm welcome at Harewood Holiday Cottages.
4. Sample Yorkshire’s best food and drink
Head to Yorkshire to sample its delicious local produce. The Harewood Food and Drink Project collaborates with local artisan producers to create simple, sought-after products and experiences. The project’s executive chef is Josh Whitehead, Masterchef: The Professionals 2016 quarter finalist and current Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards Chef of the Year. Harewood outlets use produce sourced from the estate to offer guests food cooked in house, as well as bistro takeaway deliveries and fine dining events. Dishes use meat from our Hebridean black sheep, Highland cattle, Aberdeen angus and red and fallow deer, as well as heritage vegetables from our Walled Garden. Plus, our mulberry tree ice cream is made from the fruit, bark and other parts of a 100-year-old tree overlooking Harewood lake. Yorkshire has a wealth of other top quality restaurants and talented chefs all in easy reach of Harewood. Some of our favourites include the Black Swan, Home, True Foods, Stuzzi, Ox Club and the Man Behind the Curtain.
5. Unique experiences
There are many special experiences available in Yorkshire. Here at Harewood we are excited to have some fantastic new weekend breaks, ideal for those looking for a foodie experience, lined up for 2021. Guests will enjoy a themed tasting menu, private picnic on the estate, afternoon tea on the terrace of Harewood House, breakfasts at Muddy Boots café, as well as generous hampers of Yorkshire produce. Look out for Japanese Sakura, inspired by Harewood Spring Blossoms (2-5 April), Summer Sustainability and a Zero Food Miles experience (2-5 June) and Harewood’s Autumn Harvest (5-8 Nov).
6. A five-star welcome
Anyone heading to Yorkshire for a staycation can be assured of a warm welcome. We try to cater for all requests and making people feel at home is always our number one priority. Visitors always comment not only on the high standards of cleanliness but also on how approachable, friendly and helpful our hospitality team are in ensuring their stay is extra special. We’re proud to be getting five-star reviews across all platforms. Whether someone is looking for a family friendly break, a cosy romantic escape, to take the dog away for the weekend or to book as a group for a special occasion we want to ensure they have a memorable holiday.