​​🇬🇧 Harewood House | A Grand Day Out from York 🏰🌷​​

Escape to the stately splendor of ​​Harewood House​​—an 18th-century aristocratic gem that’s starred in Victoria and Downton Abbey (though Highclere Castle is the real Downton!). Built by Edwin Lascelles, a wealthy (and controversial) plantation owner, this Grade I-listed estate is still home to the Lascelles family today. 📍 ​​Harewood House​​ Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9LG 🚆 ​​Getting There​​: York → Harrogate (30min train, ~£5 return) Bus #36 from Harrogate (20min to estate gates—keep ticket for discount!) Top-deck views: Rolling pastures, stone cottages, and dozy sheep 🐑✨ 🏛️ ​​Inside the House​​: Opulent dining rooms, cozy libraries, and servants’ quarters frozen in time Royal-worthy displays: china, silver, and portraits from the 1700s 🎨 ​​2025 Special Exhibit​​: ​​Austen & Turner​​ (May 2 - Oct 19) Celebrating 250 years of the novelist and painter, this brilliant show pairs: Turner’s Harewood watercolors with Austen’s country-house novels Rarities: Austen’s Sanditon manuscript + Turner’s paint box! 🌳 ​​The Gardens​​: 1,000 acres of postcard-perfect lawns, lakes, and rhododendron tunnels (May = pink/purple/white blooms!) 🌸 Lakeside walks with swan squadrons 🦢 💰 ​​Ticket Hack​​: Pre-book online for 10% off + skip queues! #YorkshireDayTrip #HistoricHomes #JaneAusten #TurnerArt #BritishGardens #FilmLocations