Summer Holidays: Servants’ Secrets

Discover Temple Newsam’s servants secrets this summer in the house and farm.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a servant in a grand house like Temple Newsam? Or what types of jobs people did at the farm?

In the past, Temple Newsam needed an army of cooks, cleaners, butlers and farmhands working hard every day to keep the estate running smoothly. Come along during the summer school holidays to learn all about these characters from history, what their lives were like and the different jobs they had to do.

What’s on in the House

Take part in crafts which are themed around the servants of the House including split pin puppets, colouring in and peg dolls.

Pick up a trail to spot objects old and new that help keep Temple Newsam spick and span.

Dress the Victorian banqueting table and make sure it’s fit for the lords and ladies of the manor, dress up as a servant and polish the priceless objects, and play with the dolls house – which would have been used to teach girls how to run a household!

What’s on in the Farm

Every day

Crafting in the Joiner’s Shop, discover the history of the servants by making puppets!

Every Friday

Farm Tour Friday, 10.30 – 11.30am
Find out about our rare breed animals and see demonstrations. Find out more farm tour information.

22 Jul – 1 Sept

Follow the farm trail, press the buttons, dress up and have a go at some typical farm jobs!

1 Aug

Making Bread in the 1940’s flat – 11am – 11.45am
Making Butter in the Dairy – 12.15 – 1pm
Making Cheese in the Dairy – 2.15 – 3pm

2 Aug

Farm Tour Friday – 10 – 11.30am

5 Aug

Laundry Day, 11am – 3pm
Join in demonstrations of traditional clothes washing, soap making and washboard scrubbing!

12 Aug

Wool and Rural Crafts, 11am – 3pm
See how wool is worked into yarn and weaved, and have a go yourself! Then get up close to our sheep and find out what life was like for a Victorian Shepherd. More information on wool and rural crafts.

16 & 19 Aug

Have a go! 11am – 3pm
Get stuck in to our new activity points and follow the trail around the farm to learn as you play! Get dressed up as a traditional farmhand and have a go at milking the cow, scrubbing the floors, sweeping the yard, sorting the laundry and carding wool as you live the life as someone who works on the farm.

23 Aug

Animal Encounters, 12.30pm
Poultry playtime, 1 – 3pm
See some of our smallest animals up close as our team bring out new chicks and ducklings for you to fawn over! Then in the afternoon we’ll be doing egg activities and an origami dove workshop under the arch of the Dovecote.

Explore the historic mansion with hidden treasures, encounter rare breed animals at Home Farm and stroll through the impressive grounds and gardens. Find out more about things to see and do at Temple Newsam.

To find out more about getting to Temple Newsam and view our access information, plan your visit to Temple Newsam.

Discover more events from Leeds Museums and Galleries.

Don’t forget – add House and Home Farm tickets to your basket to jointly book and receive a discount!