Temple Newsam House and Estate

Is it right for my child?

• The House: over 40 historic rooms of furniture, silver, ceramics and paintings. The House page names the Chinese Drawing Room and the Picture Gallery as highlights.
• Family features: the House page lists dressing up, activity trails and weekend crafts. The family guide describes play bays for ages 2 to 8. The pages do not say which of these the winter tours include.
• Christmas Tree Trail: over 25 decorated trees around the House, including one of the largest indoor Christmas trees in Leeds.
• The Elf Academy: children make reindeer food, decorate biscuits, hear a story and meet Father Christmas, with a photo opportunity and a graduation gift.
• Festive Tours last 1.5 hours and are described as most suitable for adults and older children.
• Outdoors: three lakes, a walled garden and many miles of informal paths. The access page says many trails are steep in parts.
• Next door: Temple Newsam Home Farm and Play Barn is a separately ticketed rare breeds farm with an indoor play barn.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Book House entry online, or buy in person at the shop in the House entrance.
• Leave the buggy in the car. Hip carriers can be borrowed from staff.
• Only bags up to A4 size are allowed around the House; larger bags go to reception or a locker.
• Drive in by the West Entrance on Temple Newsam Road, from the Halton direction, for House Car Parks 1 and 2.
• For December, check the Christmas page for events and opening times.

Prices and tickets

These are the admission prices on the visit page on 12 November 2026.

• House: adult (16 plus) £10.50, child (3 to 15) £4.50, family (2 adults and up to 3 children) £25.50. Under 3s go free.
• Joint House and Home Farm ticket: adult £17.55, child £12.15, family £48.83.
• Carers go free. When booking online, add tickets only for the people who are not carers.
• Max Card: free House entry for the named holder and one parent or carer. Leeds Card and Breeze Pass discounts apply. Free entry does not apply to some ticketed events.

Special events can be ticketed separately and may need General Admission, says the visit page.

• The Elf Academy: on selected dates from 5 to 23 December 2026. Elf Academy tickets cost £16 to £20 and include General Admission for the child taking part. Adults and other children need their own General Admission ticket. LeedsCard and Max Card concessions are available. Free-entry membership cards are not valid during the Christmas period.
• Festive Tours: £15 per adult and £7.50 per child, on selected dates from 1 to 24 December 2026.
• Christmas Tree Trail: the event page shows booking links but no price, so check when you book.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• No buggies around the House. The entrance has level access from the House car park.
• Baby changing: in the stable courtyard toilets and a ground-floor toilet in the House. The access page calls it gender neutral; the family guide calls it the accessible ladies toilet.
• Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere. There is no dedicated feeding area, but staff will help you find a seat.
• The stable courtyard is down a sloping path and has cobbled floors.

Food and drink

• Tea Rooms: open daily. Winter hours are 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 4pm at weekends. The pages we saved do not give Christmas Day or New Year hours.
• The family guide lists a children’s menu with hot meals, light snacks and picnic boxes, plus highchairs.

Getting there and parking

Address: Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds LS15 0AE.

• Elm Tree Walk is closed to all motor vehicles. The West Entrance on Temple Newsam Road reaches House Car Parks 1 and 2. It also serves Lawn Pond car park and limited Blue Badge parking at the Stable Courtyard.
• The North Entrance, via Whitkirk and Colton Road, serves the Farm car park and others. To switch sides, drive round via the B6159.
• Night closures: Temple Newsam Road at New Temple Gate and Colton Road close daily from 10pm to 6am.
• Parking is paid. The visit page does not list the charges. Blue Badge parking is in every car park.
• Bus: First buses 19 and 19A run to Whitkirk, 1 mile from Temple Newsam.
• Train: Cross Gates station is 1.9 miles away.

When to visit

• Winter: the visit page lists the House as Tuesday to Sunday, with winter tours between 11am and 3pm until February half-term.
• 14 and 15 November 2026: the House is closed to general visitors. Entry is free for Baby Week attendees.
• Christmas Tree Trail: the event page lists sessions from 10.30am on 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 23 December 2026. Its heading says 5 to 19 December, so check when you book.
• Festive Tours: the event page lists Tuesdays to Fridays from 1 to 18 December from 11am, and 10.30am to 1pm on 24 December.
• On 12 November, the Christmas page listed events but no House hours or closure days for Christmas and New Year.

Additional needs and disability support

Temple Newsam publishes access details for the House and estate. The access page does not mention a visual story or sensory bags.

Frequently asked questions

Is Temple Newsam House open in winter?

Yes, by guided tour. The visit page says winter tours run between 11am and 3pm, Tuesday to Sunday, until February half-term. The House is closed to general visitors on 14 and 15 November 2026.

How much does Temple Newsam House cost for a family?

A House family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children costs £25.50. Under 3s go free, and carers go free.

Can you take a pushchair into Temple Newsam House?

No. Buggies are not allowed around the House, but staff can lend hip carriers.

What is The Elf Academy at Temple Newsam?

A Christmas experience with Mrs Christmas and Father Christmas, on selected dates from 5 to 23 December 2026. Elf Academy tickets cost £16 to £20, and adults need a General Admission ticket.

Is Temple Newsam good for autistic children?

A relaxed Elf Academy runs on 12 and 13 December 2026, listed as sold out on 12 November. Carers go free on House admission, and Elf Academy tickets have Max Card concessions.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official Leeds Museums and Galleries pages for Temple Newsam, visiting, access, the family guide, Christmas, the Christmas Tree Trail, The Elf Academy and road access. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.