National Lottery funding helps Temple Newsam team make history

For more than 500 years it’s been one of the cornerstones of Leeds’s history and heritage.

Now a new project to help secure the historic Temple Newsam estate for future generations has secured important funding, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Temple Newsam House and its estate have received a grant of £90,000 to help bring different teams working on the estate together and give communities new opportunities to participate in shaping its future.

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, will also allow the estate to create more chances to volunteer at Temple Newsam, giving local people a way to help others learn about the site and play an active role in bringing its history to life.

In the longer term, it is hoped the work will then put the estate in a stronger position to apply for further grants and help futureproof the important heritage asset for years to come.

Described as “the Hampton Court of the north”, Temple Newsam House was built more than five centuries ago and is the former home to flamboyant aristocrats and their families including Lord Darnley, the ill-fated husband of Mary Queen of Scots.

The house is surrounded by one of the few Capability Brown landscapes in public ownership, the beautiful formal gardens and the much loved lakeside walk. The Estate also boasts Home Farm which is one of the largest working rare breeds farm in Europe.

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to get this important project underway thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Temple Newsam has been one of the cornerstones of Leeds’s history for centuries and we’re always keen to help our visitors and communities learn more about the estate’s remarkable heritage and the stories behind it.

“This funding will allow us to look at how we reach out to visitors in new and exciting ways and help us put the plans in place to apply future funding and preserve the house and park for the next generation of visitors.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund