Just four miles out of Leeds City Centre, this beautifully restored Tudor-Jacobean Mansion lies in several hundred acres of park and woodland, much of the grounds having been designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Built between 1500 and 1520, it was the birthplace in 1545 of Lord Darnley, the notorious husband of Mary Queen of Scots. The house is home to internationally renowned collections of Chippendale furniture as well as paintings, silver and porcelain. The house was bought by Leeds City Council 1922 and later underwent a two year painstaking restoration, re-opening in 2005. Both the interior and exterior are stunning. The famous rhododendron walk is a riot of colour in June and July and leads to small lakes and walled gardens where there is also a large rose garden and six national collections of flowers. To the rear of the house is Home Farm, with a superb barn dating back to 1694 and extensive stabling. It is a working farm with one of the largest collections of rare breed animals in Europe. It is open to visitors too. A massive physically handicapped/able bodied playground, with specialist play equipment opened in 2011 adjacent to the farm. All in all a great day out for all.
