Useful / Beautful Exhibition at Harewood House - Yorkshire
Last weekend we visited Harewood House, located on the outskirts of Leeds. Built in the 18th century, the house sits within 100 acres of gardens, which has a surprising collection of rare Birds, including penguins and flamingoes!
The house plays host to many events and we had made the trip to see the current exhibition ‘Useful / Beautiful: Why Craft Matters’, which runs until 1 September 2019.
Curated by Hugo Macdonald, the exhibition explores the concept of craft, and its role in society today. Work from 26 individuals, workshops and brands, including Max Lamb, Faye Toogood, Hiut Denim, Superfolk, and Anthony Burrill, are presented within the rooms of the house. The contemporary craft is cleverly displayed amongst traditional antiques and the original ornate features of the house reminding us that the skills of craftsmen and women of the past, which are often viewed has long forgotten, are still alive and should be equally nurtured and treasured today.
‘To craft something means to understand a material; how to use it effectively for a particular purpose. It means learning, practicing and passing on knowledge of the mind, hand and heart. Craft is an approach, not an object. It can teach us crucial lessons for contemporary life: resourcefulness, respect, resilience, repair.’ Hugo Macdonald, Curator
We always enjoy a snoop round a house and although grand, Harewood seems modest in size in comparison to other stately homes. The ‘Below Stairs’ rooms particularly inspired us – the old kitchen, corridors, garden room, pastry room and store rooms are beautifully simple and a little more relatable in comparison to the extravagance of the State Rooms on the floor above.
Tickets include parking and entry to the house and gardens:
£13.50 adults / £7.20 children (online in advance)
£15.00 adults / £8.00 children (pay at the gate)
Food & Drink:
Terrace Tearooms in the main house for cakes and drinks.
Courtyard Café for homemade hot meals, salads, sandwiches and cake.
The Horsebox in the Walled Garden for a Yorkshire cream tea or Harewood G&T.
If the weather is good, bring a picnic and your rounders set, as there is plenty of freshly mown grass to sit and play on.
More information: