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A wallpapered room with a large 4 person desk, decorative items and a painting on the wall

Temple Newsam House's Collections

An adult and 2 children looking around Temple Newsam's Picture Gallery

The Temple Newsam collection has been built up by curators since 1923 when the estate was bought from the Edward Wood (Lord Irwin, later the Earl of Halifax) by the City of Leeds and developed as a country house museum. Although bought as a largely empty shell, the house now boasts one of the greatest fine and decorative art collections in the country. The collection has the distinction of being the first country house collection to have been Designated of international significance. The furniture collection is particularly renowned, widely considered the best in the UK, other than the Victoria & Albert Museum. 

Whilst much of Temple Newsam’s collection today has come from far and wide, many objects are original to the house, having returned over the last 80 years. This includes a large number family portraits of the Ingram family, who owned the house for 300 years, as well as furnishings and other pictures. The 1746 suite of gilded furniture made for the Picture Gallery is particularly spectacular, carved in elaborate Rococo style and featuring original floral needlework.

Collection Highlights

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Chinese Wallpaper
This striking Chinese wallpaper is a true original. Hand-painted scenes filled with delicate Chinese birds are enlivened by illustrations cut from Audubon’s Birds of America – a bold choice by Lady Hertford that creates a dazzling blend of cultures, artistry and imagination. Birds of America has since become the most expensive book in the world!
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Chippendale Secretaire
This exceptional secretaire by Thomas Chippendale showcases the ultimate in 18th-century luxury. Its rich Chinese lacquer – the most prized and costly decorative finishes of its day – sets it apart. Its rarity makes it even more remarkable: only three examples of this type are known in England, all made by Chippendale’s workshop.
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Silver Poetry; Spring Fever Ring
This striking contemporary silver sculpture by Junko Mori transforms nature into intricate art. Formed from clusters of hand‑forged, plant‑like forms, its delicate yet complex ring shape symbolises life and growth, showcasing extraordinary skill while bringing a fresh, poetic voice to Temple Newsam’s historic collections. It is one of several recent additions to the growing collection of contemporary silver at Temple Newsam, representing the best of silversmithing in Britain today.
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The Bretton Hall bed and panelling
This striking Tudor bed and panelling, dating from around 1530, originally came from Bretton Hall near Wakefield and was moved to Temple Newsam in 1947. Richly carved with scenes including St George and the dragon, it reflects the status and ambition of the Wentworth family—and even carries a tradition that Henry VIII once slept here.
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The Harewood Library Writing Table
A true showstopper, this exquisite writing table by Thomas Chippendale was created for nearby Harewood House around 1771. Richly decorated with dazzling marquetry of global timbers, it reflects Georgian luxury and craftsmanship at its finest—now proudly on display at Temple Newsam as a highlight of British design history.
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The Kirkleatham Centrepiece
This remarkable silver centrepiece from the 1730s is a true tour de force of silversmithing. Intricately designed and expertly made, it combines multiple functions—serving dishes, condiments and lighting—into one dazzling display. It could be transformed for use in both for formal dinners and more relaxed suppers in Georgian society.
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The Murray cabinet
This extraordinary mid-18th-century cabinet is a masterpiece of cabinetmaking and ingenuity. Made from rich mahogany with intricate brass detailing, it conceals a hidden world of drawers, secret compartments and a pull-out writing surface—transforming it into a captivating puzzle as well as a luxurious and practical piece of furniture.
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The Picture Gallery furniture suite
The Picture Gallery suite, made up on 37 items of furniture, is a spectacular survival from the 1740s, still displayed in its original setting at Temple Newsam. Floral needlework seating combines with dazzling carved giltwood girandoles (wall lights), candlestands and tables form a complete design ensemble. Alive with mythological scenes, the suite showcases the skill and imagination of master craftsman James Pascall.
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The Pyke Clock
This remarkable 18th-century organ clock by George Pyke is a true feat of engineering. Standing over 2.5 metres tall, it houses a working pipe organ and intricate mechanism that animates a lively scene. Said to have once belonged to Marie Antoinette, it’s a dazzling blend of music, movement and craftsmanship.
The Chippendale Society Collection

Joining the many treasures owned by Leeds Museums & Galleries, Temple Newsam is also the permanent home of the Chippendale Society’s collection. This contains important furniture, drawings and archives by Britain’s most celebrated furniture maker and designer, Thomas Chippedale Snr. This collection accompanies masterpieces by Chippendale owned by Leeds Museums and Galleries, such as the Harewood Library Writing Table, bought in 1965 for a then-world record auction price.

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A turquoise room in Temple Newsam with large bookshelves and a Chippendale desk in the middle Zoom in Figure of a crane Thomas Chippendale1769 Zoom in India picture Thomas Chippendale c.1771 Zoom in Marquetry table by Thomas Chippendale 1772 Zoom in Bookcase Thomas Chippendale c.1775, a close up of the illustration on the drawers Zoom in A close up detail of a Chippendale desk on display at Temple Newsam Zoom in pier table by Thomas Chippendale c.1778 Zoom in Bookcase Thomas Chippendale c.1775 Zoom in
A family looking at a room in Temple Newsam

Plan your visit

Visit Temple Newsam between February - October for a self-guided visit with General Admission, or visit us between November - Feburary for guided tours over the winter and festive period. Plan your visit.

Throughout the year we host a range of family-friendly events and adult experiences, including Afternoon Tea events and Rooftop Tours.

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Carved and engraved details on a wooden piece of furniture

Our Collections

Leeds Museums and Galleries collections are home to natural history, fine and decorative art and industrial history have been designated as collections of national significance. Our dress and textiles, world cultures and social history collections represent Leeds and beyond. All cared for by our curators. Only 5% of our collections are on display across Leeds.

Find out more about our collections

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An adult and child looking around Temple Newsam Zoom in Two adults looking at an ornate clock in Temple Newsam Zoom in A wallpapered room with a large 4 person desk, decorative items and a painting on the wall Zoom in Two adults looking in a low display case in Temple Newsam, in a room with pink and red wall papered room Zoom in A red room at Temple Newsam, with red wallpaper, a red bed and red curtains Zoom in A white and blue room with wooden furniture in Temple Newsam Zoom in A close up of decorative arts items in the blue room in Temple Newsam Zoom in A turquoise room in Temple Newsam with large bookshelves and a Chippendale desk in the middle Zoom in

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