Visitors to Harewood House this Easter will be able to enjoy a brand new attraction. From 25th March, an exciting new Farm Experience will be open to the public featuring giant rabbits, alpacas, pygmy goats and pot-bellied pigs. During the spring school holidays, visitors will be able to speak to the animal keepers about the latest additions and see the pigs being fed their lunch. The Farm Experience is designed to give visitors more to enjoy, more reasons to come back, and to provide even more educational opportunities for schools.
The winter investment has extended beyond the new Farm. The Bird Garden has also seen substantial redevelopment with tonnes of shrubbery removed opening up new views across the Lake, new fencing installed and importantly, the Penguin Pool has been renovated. Brand new rock work has been hand sculpted, refreshed nest burrows created and a new archway within the pool constructed. The welcome addition of six new Humboldt Penguins to the colony should provide greater opportunities for them to breed successfully this year (we hope!).
Nicholas Dowling, Bird Garden and Farm Experience Manager said, “The new Humboldt’s are a great addition to the colony. They have settled in well and have bonded with the existing birds which is always a relief.”
Learning sits at the heart of the winter project work. Refreshed interpretation in both the Farm and Bird Garden sit alongside a new Minibeast Trail which has been specifically designed to support the protection of native wildlife here in the UK.
Christopher Ussher, Chief Executive of Harewood House Trust said, “Harewood is pleased and excited to be launching both the Farm Experience and the redeveloped the Bird Garden. Education is at the core of the message and we want families to join us this spring to enjoy everything that’s on offer.”
The project work is part of a three year development plan for Harewood with more work in the Bird Garden due to complete later this year.