Inside the hidden village where residents live on the Harewood Estate
Harewood House is a name that conjures history, art and sweeping landscapes - a place visitors explore for an afternoon before heading back to everyday life.
But beyond the formal terraces and the grand façade lies something most people never realise: a village of residents who live, work and grow up as part of the Harewood Estate.
“It’s amazing how many people don’t know we have a residential community here,” says Danielle Yorath, the estate’s property manager.
Around 20 homes for rent are dotted across the 4,000-acre estate, mainly Grade II listed stone cottages. The properties are so popular, there are only a couple of homes currently available – a two bedroom terraced house and a five bedroom detached house.
Rents range from £995 per month for a one bedroom cottage up to £3,700 per month for Gardener’s Cottage, the most expensive five bedroom property. All the properties are dog friendly.
Residents include families who have been here for generations and newcomers drawn by the rural surroundings and access to Leeds and Harrogate.
“Historically, these homes were occupied by people who worked on the estate,” says Danielle. “Some families have been here for generations, and we rarely sell anything – most properties are let.” The mix of residents has evolved over time: “It’s probably leaning more towards young professionals now, people seeking a calm, peaceful lifestyle, but there’s a nice balance with older residents too,” she says.
"We have a few members of staff, like me, who work here and also live in the village but it’s such a unique place that it doesn’t feel like you’re always at work. There are lots of places to escape to and you never get bored of walking around here.”
She adds: “Living here is very calming – it has such a positive effect on you because you’re surrounded by so much nature. Even though there’s so much going on on the estate, it never feels busy.”
Resident perks include a free Harewood House membership pass as well as easy access to the summer events programme, including DogFest and the Great British Food Festival and proximity to the estate’s cafes, bistro nights, and wellness offerings.
Among those drawn to the estate’s unique appeal is Jessica Higgins, who moved to Harewood in July 2024.
Initially renting a one-bedroom terrace – part of a former ribbon factory – on The Avenue, she and her partner, Tim, recently moved into a two-bedroom property closer to the centre of the estate.
“We love living here,” she says. “It ticks a lot of boxes for us - dog-friendly walks, yoga at the Arch Barn next door, and the farm shop for coffee and breakfast. It’s really nice to feel part of a community.”
Jessica, a da Vinci clinical sales associate, and her partner Tim, along with their two Dachshunds, Squidge and Floss, enjoy the estate’s walking routes and open spaces.
Danielle, who rents a three-bedroom home with her two children, echoes the sentiment: “It’s really beautiful in every season. It’s nurturing - it slows you down in the best way.”
She adds: “My daughter can get up in the morning and walk to school, which is the most amazing thing for her and gives her that little bit of independence. I have a two minute commute to work. My mornings aren’t as stressful as if I lived in the centre of Leeds.”
The properties themselves combine period charm with modern functionality.
Jessica says the homes feature log burners, sash windows, mature gardens, and a “real cottage feel,” while Danielle highlights their character: “You’ve got these big rooms and tiny rooms - they’re full of history and memories. They are so different from modern apartments in the city.”
Beyond its community and heritage, Harewood Estate has also invested in sustainability. Ten years ago, it installed two biomass boilers, generating close to one megawatt of energy.
The boilers provide heating and hot water via a district network serving Harewood House, the Courtyard, commercial offices, residential properties, and holiday cottages.
Biomass fuel comes from woodchip harvested from over 800 acres of woodland, produced in a way that enhances biodiversity while reducing the estate’s carbon footprint.
By replacing oil heating and processing timber onsite, the system saves around 650 tonnes of CO₂ annually - roughly the same as 1,000 return flights from London to New York.
Danielle says: “People love living here and don’t tend to leave. It’s a place you can escape to, but you’re never far from work or amenities.”
Jessica agrees: “We never expected to stay in Harewood so long. We wanted to buy somewhere but the location, the community, and the lifestyle make it really special."
Looking ahead, Danielle says Harewood is making small steps to develop its residential community. “It’s not that easy going to planning when you’re in a listed area,” she says. “ But there are things coming. Harewood is a traditional estate but it’s also very innovative.”