Community Events

Join a guided walk to discover the history of John Smeaton at Temple Newsam.

John Smeaton was the greatest civil engineer of the 18th century and the founder of the profession in Britain.

This tour explores the grounds of Temple Newsam for remaining evidence of Smeaton’s pump, and ventures inside the house to view the surviving well — not normally on view to the public.

Booking essential, £8 per person. Book via the Leeds Museums & Galleries event page.

A day of movement, music and performance at Temple Newsam House, as dancers take over the grand halls and galleries.

A relaxed, all-ages event — take part if you like, or simply sit back and enjoy. No experience needed, and it’s included in general admission.

Groups performing across the day include Arbeau Dancers (Temple Newsam’s resident historical dance group, covering some 600 years of dance), Patrick Miller Ballroom Dancing (Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Waltz — no partner needed), The Dance Studio jazz dancers, Leeds Chinese Community School dance group, and Halifax Historical Dance with Regency-era dances from the time of Jane Austen and Anne Lister.

A fun-filled open day at Skelton Grange Environment Centre — come along and play, explore the site and have a go at natural crafts, with craft activities for all ages, woodland play and outdoor games.

Entry is free. The café will be open selling homemade cakes and savoury treats, or enjoy a pizza from the wood-fired pizza oven, with vegan and gluten-free options available. Donations are welcome — all funds raised support the charitable work of The Conservation Volunteers at Skelton Grange Environment Centre.

Drop in and explore a delicious selection of locally sourced produce and handcrafted treats at our artisan food fayres.

You’ll find a wide range of stalls offering food and drink to taste and take home, perfect for indulging yourself or picking up a thoughtful gift.

Located in the Amphitheatre, you can’t miss it!

This year we will be taking part in the Heritage Open Days and visitors will be able to have free access to the Farm on 15 and 19 September 2026.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the heritage of our working farm, including the buildings, farm machinery and rare-breed animals.

A general admission ticket is required for The Play Barn.

A guided tour uncovering the Tudor mansion that once stood at the heart of Temple Newsam, hidden beneath the grand Georgian facades and elegant interiors.

£5 per person plus general admission — book on Leeds Ticket Hub.

Step back to the 1500s as the tour peels away the later centuries. Explore surviving architectural traces, hear stories of the families who shaped the estate during one of the most dramatic periods in English history, and imagine the bustle, intrigue and transformation that unfolded within these walls.

Craft market weekends at Temple Newsam, with stalls from a selection of seasonal artisan makers and local producers, hosted by Little Hummingbird Events.

Make a day of it by exploring the estate, discovering the history of the house, visiting Home Farm and the animals, or just enjoying the parkland and having lunch on site.

It is something of a cliche that “The Devil has all the best tunes” but if you need convincing join Leeds Baroque and director Peter Holman for programme of musical scenes from plays produced in London during the Restoration period performed on period Instruments. Music includes; from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the Masque of Devils from Thomas Shadwell’s spectacular operatic version.There is more drama with the rarely performed Temple Scene from Bonduca (1695) and the hilarious (drunken) Poet’s Scene from The Fairy Queen (1692). Celebrating Leeds 400, we include pieces from a manuscript of Restoration theatre music now in Leeds City Library . Tickets for students and young people are FREE so bring the Family!

A guided ghost tour through Temple Newsam’s most haunted rooms — the infamous Blue Lady, spectral footsteps on the stairs, and true stories of paranormal encounters and historical tragedies.

Limited tickets, so book early. Further tour dates run on 9-10 and 16-18 October.

The tour ends with a warming hot chocolate and a ghostly sweet treat in the Dining Room. Temple Newsam might seem like a grand mansion steeped in centuries of art, architecture and aristocracy — but look behind the scenes and the veil lifts, and the spirits stir.

Drop in and explore a delicious selection of locally sourced produce and handcrafted treats at our artisan food fayres.

You’ll find a wide range of stalls offering food and drink to taste and take home, perfect for indulging yourself or picking up a thoughtful gift.

Located in the Amphitheatre, you can’t miss it!

A guided ghost tour through Temple Newsam’s most haunted rooms — the infamous Blue Lady, spectral footsteps on the stairs, and true stories of paranormal encounters and historical tragedies.

Limited tickets, so book early. Further tour dates run on 16-18 October.

The tour ends with a warming hot chocolate and a ghostly sweet treat in the Dining Room. Temple Newsam might seem like a grand mansion steeped in centuries of art, architecture and aristocracy — but look behind the scenes and the veil lifts, and the spirits stir.

Guided walk for families and beginners looking at Fungi at Temple Newsam. The walk aims to find examples of all the major genus of fungi so that participants can quickly identify all kinds of mushrooms.

The walk is about 3 miles and covers woodlands, grasslands, and a variety of different habitats. There is an introduction to picking, collecting, identifying and advice on edibility.

The walk is reasonably accessible but there are gradients and off-road conditions.

A guided ghost tour through Temple Newsam’s most haunted rooms — the infamous Blue Lady, spectral footsteps on the stairs, and true stories of paranormal encounters and historical tragedies.

Limited tickets, so book early.

The tour ends with a warming hot chocolate and a ghostly sweet treat in the Dining Room. Temple Newsam might seem like a grand mansion steeped in centuries of art, architecture and aristocracy — but look behind the scenes and the veil lifts, and the spirits stir.

Discover the rich, uplifting power of live choral music with in a varied concert of a cappella masterpieces in the historic setting of St Mary’s Church, Whitkirk.

Perfect for both long-time classical enthusiasts and anyone curious to experience choral music for the first time, this performance brings together a beautiful mix of secular and sacred pieces. The evening highlights the soaring melodies and poignant harmonies of English and German Romantic traditions, featuring the accessible warmth of Vaughan Williams’ Linden Lea and Stanford’s The Blue Bird, alongside the stirring passion of Brahms and Hubert Parry’s deeply moving Songs of Farewell. Completed by the serene devotions of Bruckner and Déodat de Séverac, this concert offers an inviting and deeply rewarding musical experience for every listener.

Pick up a trail sheet and complete quizzes and activities in the Farm, Play Barn, House, Walled Garden and Golf Activity Park.

The farm will be transformed with silly skeleton scenarios, spooky displays and seasonal colour. Follow the pumpkin trail and get creative with self-led crafts in the Joiner’s Shop, where you can make your very own paper-chain skeletons.

There’ll be opportunities to meet some of our friendly farm animals, plus a selfie station in the Play Barn entrance courtyard.

Experience the magical mysteries of Halloween without any of the frights, as we dip into our cauldron of silly tales that are spooky enough to send shivers down your spine, but daft enough to deliver plenty of fun and laughter along the way…

We’ll even end the session with a ’not-so-scary’ spell to chase away any lingering fears and ensure that everyone has sweet dreams this Eve of All Hallows!

Experience the magical mysteries of Halloween without any of the frights, as we dip into our cauldron of silly tales that are spooky enough to send shivers down your spine, but daft enough to deliver plenty of fun and laughter along the way…

We’ll even end the session with a ’not-so-scary’ spell to chase away any lingering fears and ensure that everyone has sweet dreams this Eve of All Hallows!

A magical, spooky (but not-too-scary) Halloween steam train adventure for young witches and wizards at Middleton Railway.

Standard departures at 1:30 PM, 2:10 PM, 2:50 PM and 3:30 PM, with earlier slots possibly added. Adults £9, children £4 — book at Middleton Railway. About 10-15 minutes’ drive from Skelton Gate.

Board the Spell Train behind a Sentinel steam locomotive and search the decorated carriage for Halloween ingredients — red-backed spiders, yellow-winged bats and more — then discover the magic words and recite the spell as the train passes through a tunnel erupting with flashing lights. Back at the station, toss your ingredients into the cauldron and collect a treat. Halloween crafts and themed refreshments are available at the café.

Experience the magical mysteries of Halloween without any of the frights, as we dip into our cauldron of silly tales that are spooky enough to send shivers down your spine, but daft enough to deliver plenty of fun and laughter along the way…

We’ll even end the session with a ’not-so-scary’ spell to chase away any lingering fears and ensure that everyone has sweet dreams this Eve of All Hallows!

A trail run from Skelton Lake Services into Rothwell Country Park — woodland, riverside paths, grass trail and a touch of road.

Multiple distances with a generous 6.5-hour cut-off, so walkers are welcome as well as runners. Bring a reusable cup or bottle — the event is cupless and eco-focused — with water and feed stations roughly every 3 miles. Large over-ear headphones aren’t permitted for safety (bone-conducting, or one ear in and one out, is fine), and there are some unmarshalled road crossings, so stay alert.

Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this hands-on session will guide you through creating your own beautiful willow star wreath. A timeless and natural decoration to brighten your home this holiday season.

You’ll learn traditional techniques for working with willow; a sustainable and biodegradable material harvested with care and consideration for the environment.

Taking place in the Lady Isabella Room in the Stable Courtyard, this workshop offers a calm, creative space to connect with others, learn a traditional craft, and embrace the spirit of a greener Christmas.

Craft market weekends at Temple Newsam, with stalls from a selection of seasonal artisan makers and local producers, hosted by Little Hummingbird Events.

Make a day of it by exploring the estate, discovering the history of the house, visiting Home Farm and the animals, or just enjoying the parkland and having lunch on site.