Special tours as Lotherton Hall’s house closes for cleaning

Visitors to Lotherton Hall can get a glimpse behind the scenes of the estate’s stunning country house during a series of exclusive winter tours.

With the house now closed for its annual deep clean, guests still have the chance to take a tour while experts work to protect and conserve its many historic features and exhibits.

Tours take place daily throughout January and February at 11am and 2pm and can be booked at the welcome cabin on arrival to the estate. The house will fully re-open on March 1.

The house has been home to some of the city’s most prominent families, including the Nevilles, de Hothams and the Gascoignes.

During the First World War, it was also used as a hospital before being given to the city of Leeds by Sir Alvary and Lady Gascoigne in 1968.

Today it still houses a beautiful decorative art collection and visitors can also see where the house staff once worked in the restored servants’ rooms.

Some areas of the house will be closed on occasions while work is being carried out, including the Fashion Galleries, where the new Our Cousin Florence exhibition is being installed ahead of its opening on March 18.

During school holidays the house will be open from 10am until 4pm, with last entry at 3.15pm.

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council’s lead member for museums and galleries, said: “Every year a great deal of work goes into the cleaning and conservation of the beautiful and historic house at Lotherton Hall.

“While that work takes place, we’re keen that visitors still get the chance to have a look round a place which is so steeped in the city’s heritage.

“These tours offer a rare opportunity to not only look around the house, but to see some of the painstaking work that goes into keeping it so stunning all year round.”

For more details about Lotherton Hall, please visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/lothertonhall

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk