Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Known as the Dawn Redwood or the Chinese Water Fir, this fast-growing, deciduous conifer is one of a kind in the plant world and has a remarkable history.

It had been known to science only by fossil remains until a forester discovered a living tree growing near a village in central China in 1941.

A few years later, further trees were found in a neighbouring valley.

The sensational news spread across the world that living specimens of this fossil tree had been discovered. In early 1948 seeds collected from these trees were sent to the Arnold Arboretum in Massachusetts.

The tree in the foreground of the picture was grown at Harewood from seed sown in 1997 by the head gardener and was one of the first trees to be planted as part of the new Sino-Himalayan plant collection.

Found here

Map showing arial view of walks available on Harewood Gardens and Grounds. One path plots the route from the car park, across the North Front path to All Saints' Church and Woodland Wonderland then through the East Garden. This is where the second walk begins, across the Terrace, down past the Archery Border and around Sunsides leading out past the Courtyard. The third walk begins at the Car Park, past the Adventure Playground and Courtyard, down the Lakeside Woodland Garden path, around the Himalayan Garden, round the lake to the Bothy and Walled Garden. The walks can be done in succession and are all circular.

Himalayan Garden

Himalayan Garden

Step into the Himalayan Garden and find yourself immersed in the landscapes of Asia.

Himalayan Garden

Explore the Collections

Harewood House Trust, boasts an incredible collection of furniture, ceramics, and paintings, as well as gardens and grounds brimming with plants from around the world.

Sino-Himalayan Plants

Harewood is renowned for its beautiful gardens and inspiring planting schemes. The Himalayan Garden contains many rare and unusual plants, many of which were introduced by intrepid plant explorers, and include Blue Poppies, Cobra Lilies, Primulas and Orchids.

See more: Sino-Himalayan Plants

An elaborate white and blue painted chair next to a carved mahogany side table upon which stands a bronze lamp.

British Furniture

Thomas Chippendale is Britain’s most famous eighteenth-century furniture maker. Located just a few miles away from his birthplace in Otley, Harewood House contains one of the largest collections of his furniture anywhere in the world, and is today renowned as his most magnificent commission.

See more: British Furniture