Temple Newsam, Leeds (must see)

Temple Newsam is an estate that is part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries group. The manor dates to at least 1066 when it was owned by Anglo-Saxon thanes, Dunstan and Glunier. The next reference to the house was in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as a new house owned by Ilbert de Lacy.

The estate was given to the Knights Templar in 1155. They built the Temple Newsam Preceptory and farmed the estate with more than 1,000 animals. The estate was taken from the Knights Templar and given to Sir Robert Holland in the 14th century. Over the years it was held by the Countess of Pembroke, the 4th Baron Darcy de Knayth and Lord Darcy. It was later passed through various family members of King Henry VIII and James I before it was sold to London merchant, Sir Arthur Ingram.

The Tudor-style home that is now on the estate, known as Temple Newsam House, was first built in 1520. It was rebuilt and renovated in 1635 after a serious fire destroyed much of the home. Portions of the house, such as the brickwork and bay windows, were incorporated into the new structure. The grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown.

The estate was opened to the public in 1923 along with a golf course. Today, the estate also has facilities for soccer, running, cycling and horse riding. There is also a children's playground and a memorial to the veterans of the Normandy Landing at Pegasus Bridge in 1944.

The house is designated as a Grade I listed building. The stables, barn and Sphinx gates are Grade II listed.