Conservation Projects

In 1986 Harewood House Trust was formed to look after the House, its collections, the Gardens and Grounds for the public benefit.

The Trust has since undertaken the work of renovation and maintenance with money it receives from an endowment, any additional funding and sponsorship for specific projects as well as from visitors who come to Harewood.

The bulk of the Trust's income is self-generated, but significant revenues are required to meet the very considerable costs of maintaining a house built long ago and therefore constantly in need of repair - The entire roof had to be replaced during the winter of 1993-4, work which was made possibble with financial support from a public grant.

Restoration work on the Terrace took place in 1994, with financial assistance from the European Union. Charles Barry's original elaborate flowerbed designs had been grassed over in 1959 because they were too labour intensive to maintain.

Extensive work on the interior of the House has been going on since the mid 1980s and in 1998 Harewood became the first country house in Britain to receive Designated Museum status, a tribute to the collections and the care with which they are looked after.

On these pages you will find details of some of our bigger conservation and restoration projects from the last two decades.

Chinese Wallpaper

The Chinese Wallpaper was originally hung in the Chintz Bedroom in 1769. It was taken down during the 19th century and placed in the Carpenter’s Workshop. In 1988 the Chinese Wallpaper was rediscovered by Harewood staff and a conservation project was initiated. In March 2008 the wallpaper was restored and hung in The East Bedroom.

Find out more about the Chinese Wallpaper conservation project.

The Harewood Chippendale State Bed

When Harewood House was built, a State Bedroom fitted out in elegant styles was considered an essential status symbol. When Charles Barry carried out major alternations at Harewood in the 1840s, State Bedrooms were no longer in fashion and, consequently, was turned in to a sitting room for the third Countess of Harewood. Thomas Chippendale’s spectacular bed was dismantled and stored in the stable block.

The State Bed was rediscovered during the 1970s. In 1999 the Heritage Lottery Fund provided 70% of the £200,000 cost of restoration.

Find out more about the State Bed conservation project.

Harewood Castle

Grade 1 listed Harewood Castle was built in the 14th Century. In recent times, decay and weathering started to take their toll, making the castle unstable. In 2000, Harewood Castle was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register by English Heritage.

A three year, £1m, repair and consolidation programme was drawn up, funded through English Heritage and the Harewood Estate.

The restoration project is now nearing completion and Harewood Castle has been taken off the `Buildings at Risk' register. The next stage will be to decide how the castle might be visited by the public.

Find out more about the Castle conservation project.

Harewood Stables

Building work on the Stables Courtyard began in 1755. When completed, the Stables had space for up to 60 horses, as well as rooms for coachmen and grooms. Since the 1950s, when Harewood opened to the public, the Stables have housed visitor facilities including exhibition spaces, a shop and a restaurant. Work has been completed to restore the fabric of the grade I listed Stable Block, re-developing its interior in order to improve visitor facilities and access.

Find out more about the Stables Courtyard re-development.