It’s going to be visually spectacular at Harewood House’s Seeds of Hope event this weekend.
1,269 sunflowers will be standing tall, each representing the men who tended to at Harewood House when it served as an auxiliary Hospital from 1915 to 1919.
Seeds of Hope uncovers the hidden stories and spaces of Harewood House’s Bothy & Walled Garden. For the first time Harewood House will open its Bothy and you’ll be taken on the journey of theatrical installations, and scenes from bothy boy John journal, that bring the garden Bothy to life.
The Walled Garden has been replanted with heritage vegetables, will showcase a Peace Meadow with thousands of white Cosmos ‘Purity’ flowers and home to a number of heritage breed animals, including chickens and goats. A newly commissioned and composed soundscape drifts through the gardens to help transport visitors back 100 years to a point where the country was moving beyond war to more hopeful times.
To reach Seeds of Hope, you need to step aboard a brand-new chain ferry, which links the main courtyard and Bird Garden across the lake to the Walled Garden, and will be run by a team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable skippers. Alternatively, you can take a short, leisurely walk through the gardens and round the Lake to arrive at the start of the new experience.
To celebrate the opening this weekend the Chain Ferry will be officially launched at 12pm by Lord Harewood. There will also be a pop-up Horse Truck is serving vintage cream teas, Prosecco and Gin & Tonic adjacent to the Bothy.
You can also gain free entry! All you have to do is dress in clothing from the era on Saturday 30th June and gain free of charge entry to the Harewood grounds before 12pm. As Saturday 30th June is National Armed Forces Day all current and veteran members of the Armed Forces are welcome to enter free of charge too* Why not treat them!
For those who don’t want to play dress up normal admission prices do apply. See here for more details.
I’ve not visited Harewood House since I was a little girl so I’m excited to see how much has change and how many fond memories of my own will come flooding back.
When was the last time you visited Harewood House? What’s your fondest memory?
Follow me on Instagram Stories on Saturday 30th June to see the event in action.
*An Armed Forces ID Card or Veterans ID card must be shown at our entry point. Free access is valid only for those with an ID card, standard entry prices apply to all other visitors.
Harewood House dates for your diary
Willow Weave Chickens | £75.00
15th July, 10.30am-4.30pm (Walled Garden – weather permitting)
Inspired by our new feathered friends in the Walled Garden, join us this summer for a Willow Weaving workshop, where you will have the chance to make your very own willow chicken sculpture.
Wire Sculpture Workshops | £75,00
29th July, 10.30am-4.30pm (Education Suite)
Taking inspiration from the heritage chickens residing in the Walled Garden this summer, join us for this one day workshop and learn how to make a chicken wire sculpture of your choice of hen or duck, with artis
Chris Moss. All tools, materials and gloves are supplied for the duration of the workshop and refreshments and a sandwich lunch will be provided on the day
A guide to summer salads with Harewood’s Head Gardener | £45.00
26th July, 6-8pm (Walled Garden)
Join us this summer for an evening in the Walled Garden, hosted by Harewood’s award-winning Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson. You’ll have the chance to learn some top-tips for sowing your own summer salads and you will also receive your very own pack of Harewood seeds to take home.
Back Garden Chicken Keeping with Harewood’s Farm Manager | £40.00
5th August, 1-3pm (Walled Garden)
Join Harewood’s Farm Manager, Nick Dowling, for an afternoon introduction to chicken keeping in your own back garden. Learn more about the housing, bedding, cleaning and healthcare, as well as what to feed them, and how many eggs you can expect to collect.
