Temple Newsam Farm Review: A Lovely Day Out in Leeds

When I lived in Leeds, I never visited Temple Newsam Farm. I did visit the gardens for a Race For Life 10k one year, though. But I’ve never had the chance to explore this beautiful place in detail. And this weekend, we did it! We visited the Temple Newsam farm with our 2-year-old son.

What is Temple Newsam?

Temple Newsam is a beautiful estate that includes a stunning house, beautiful gardens, and a working farm. Nowadays, the estate is managed by Leeds City Council and is open to the public.

History of Temple Newsam

The history of Temple Newsam dates back to 1000, evidence has been found to suggest that people lived there then. There’s evidence of defensive or boundary structures and the outlines of a Romano-British farm.

The first actual mention of Temple Newsam appears in the Domesday Book in 1086 as “Neuhusam”. The site was gifted to the Knights Templar in 1155, who built a preceptory.

Temple Newsam house is a Tudor jacobean mansion house with over 42 rooms. It was built 1500-1520 by Lord Darcy and the estate spans over 1500 acres and is located in the east of Leeds, just on the outskirts of the city. It was then seized by the Crown in 1537 following the execution of Lord Darcy.

The house has played a significant role in English history and has been visited by many historic figures, including King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I.

You can read more about the history of Temple Newsam here.

The Farm at Temple Newsam

Temple Newsam farm is a working farm that is home to a wide range of animals. The farm is a fantastic attraction for families, and children will love getting up close and personal with the animals. It is run by a team of experienced farmers who are passionate about animal welfare and sustainability.

Animals to See at the Farm

The farm is home to a wide range of animals, including cows, chickens, lambs, pigs, sheep, and goats. Visitors can watch the cows being milked, feed the pigs, and even help collect the eggs from the chickens. The farm is also home to some rare breeds of animals, including Bagot goats and Gloucester Old Spot pigs. It’s one of the largest rare breed centres in Europe.

Our Visit to the Farm

We bought our tickets online. They only cost £4.50 per adult and we didn’t have to pay for my son as under 4’s go for free.

We got there at around 10:15 am and the farm was pretty empty. We enjoyed most of it on our own before other visitors started to arrive.

The farm is a working farm but also has some old scenes set up that give you a glimpse into how it looked in the past and how life on the farm was. I really liked looking at one of the buildings that showed an old kitchen and dining room stuck in time. And learning about Dovecotes.

About the Dovecotes

Dovecotes are structures used to house pigeons and or doves to keep them safe. They are kept for their egg, meat and feathers. Dovecotes vary in size and shape but most have nesting boxes where the birds lay eggs.

The Dovecote at Temple Newsam were really big! They had brick nesting boxes all the way around. When it was in use, there weren’t actually any windows. It must have been a pretty dark, smelly and grim place!

The children’s play area

There’s a children’s play area at the farm which was a nice place to stop off and let Leo play on the swings and slide. It has a big wooden tractor, a wooden climbing frame, swings and some musical instruments. Although the instruments weren’t that good – like cowbells and metal tubes to hit to sound the notes, there wasn’t anything to hit them with!

Tea Rooms at Temple Newsam

After visiting the farm, we stopped off at the courtyard cafe and tearooms for a bite to eat. They sold sandwiches, snacks, crisps, cakes and ice cream. You can also get a cooked meal. You can view the menu here.

My husband got a pork pie with a side salad and I got a plant-based onion bhaji wrap with mint slaw. The pork pie was okay, just average and the wrap was nice – it was pre-packaged though and not made on-site. I was just happy to have plant-based options, to be honest! They also had a falafel sandwich that looked nice.

Exploring the Gardens at Temple Newsam

The gardens at Temple Newsam are beautiful. They are a perfect blend of beauty and history and offer a chance to relax and unwind in a tranquil setting. They have been designed in a classic English style, with well-manicured lawns, beautiful flower beds, and stunning water features.

We took a leisurely stroll through the gardens after visiting the farms, there are loads of different plants and flowers on display. My son enjoyed pointing at the ducks on the lakes. There are also several garden structures and sculptures that add to the beauty of the gardens. One of the highlights of the gardens is the walled garden, which is home to a wide range of fruits and vegetables.

We could have stayed longer, but Leo was getting a bit tired so we left.

Visiting the house

We didn’t visit the house because we didn’t think it would be enjoyable for a two-year-old, but I would LOVE to go when he’s a bit older. You can take a guided tour of the house and marvel at its impressive collection of paintings, furniture, and ceramics.

I’d love to go at Christmas when it’s all decorated! If I do, I’ll be sure to update this post or write a new one all about the house!

Events at Temple Newsam

Temple Newsam hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, including exhibitions, concerts, and family-friendly events.

Some events include:

• ghost walks
• tomato planting workshop
• macrame making workshop
• foraging
• lamp making
• Christmas decoration making
• half term activities

The estate is a popular venue for weddings and private functions and can be hired out for exclusive use. Visitors can check the Temple Newsam website for a list of upcoming events and activities.

Visiting Temple Newsam – Opening Times and Admission Fees

Temple Newsam is open to the public all year round. The house, gardens, and farm have different opening times and prices

House : Tues – Sun: 10.30am – 5pm

Prices: £9 per adult, £4 per child, under 5s go free. Family Ticket (up to 2 Adults, 3 Children)  £21.00

Home Farm: Mon – Sun: 10am – 5pm

Prices: £4.50 per adult, £3.20 per child, under 5s go free. Family Ticket (up to 2 Adults, 3 Children)  £12.40

Last entry 45 minutes before close

The prices are correct at the time of writing. Please make sure to check the prices before going.

Address: Temple Newsam Rd, Leeds LS15 0AE

Accessibility

Temple Newsam aims to be as accessible as possible, with most of the house, farm and gardens suitable for wheelchairs. There are lifts and disabled toilets also. There are some areas that aren’t accessible and some areas that may be difficult to navigate due to cobbled roads and steep hills.

For detailed accessibility information, please read here.

Parking

We parked behind the farm, parking was free and there were plenty of spaces when we got there. We left around 1pm and it was getting busy! There is also paid parking available.

We’ll be back at Temple Newsam soon!

Temple Newsam home farm is a hidden gem in Leeds. Although I was aware of the estate, I didn’t know there was a farm there. We had such a lovely family day there and can’t wait to go back soon.

See ya soon, Temple Newsam Farm and Gardens!

Before you go..

Have you read my review about our local farm, Beetle Bank in York? It’s close to York, a bit smaller but has an amazing play area where you can sit on benches outside with a coffee and watch your children play. Oh, and you can pet rabbits and guinea pigs.