Harlaxton Manor opens to the public over Easter for the first time
Historic Harlaxton Manor will be opening its doors and gardens to visitors on Good Friday and Easter Saturday (April 15 and 16).
The bank holiday weekend will be the first time the manor has opened at this time of year to the public, after hosting a series of successful seasonal events throughout 2021 which attracted more than 4,000 visitors.
Families can enjoy an Easter egg hunt and join in traditional garden games as they explore the manor and gardens.
There’ll also be a drawing room for children, picnic benches, a pianist as well as a selection of hot and cold refreshments available, including ice cream. Visitors might even spot the Easter Bunny hopping about!
Events manager at Harlaxton Manor, Bethan Price said: “Easter is a wonderful time to experience the incredible beauty of Harlaxton Manor and its magnificent gardens and we’re very excited to be hosting a special bank holiday weekend of family-friendly activities for the occasion.
“The team and I are busy decorating the manor, hiding Easter eggs and perfecting the range of cakes and treats that’ll be on offer. It’s going to be a lovely event - and a perfect start to another exciting year of events at Harlaxton Manor.
“As we moved out of lockdown, 2021 was a huge success for our events team as we experimented with new ways to let people explore and experience Harlaxton Manor at different times of the year.
“Aside from weddings and corporate events, the manor is normally closed to the public because it’s home to Harlaxton College; an overseas study centre for the University of Evansville, Indiana. We’ve been working to find ways we can have the best of both worlds by enhancing the educational experience and letting more people discover this amazing historic house. As a result, our marketing students are getting involved in planning and preparing this event and they’ve brought some great ideas which I’m sure people will love.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone and we’ll be announcing more news about future events throughout the year at Harlaxton Manor soon.”
Constructed in 1831 by businessman Gregory Gregory, Harlaxton Manor is a 19th century historic house on the outskirts of Grantham. The manor combines gothic, Jacobethan and Baroque styles to create a unique building.
Designed as a tour around Europe, the Manor Gardens, which surround the main building, include French terraces, an Italian garden, Dutch canal and an observatory set within manicured lawns, blooming flowers, sculpted trees, rolling hills, woods and parkland.
Last Easter, Harlaxton Manor’s gardens were open exclusively for residents of the surrounding villages during lockdown, and so this event will be the first time in many years that members of the wider community will have the chance to visit the manor and its gardens in early Spring.
Head gardener at Harlaxton Manor, Andrew Potter said: “Spring at Harlaxton begins with the delicate white flowers of the snowdrops, with their nodding heads that pop up through the woodland floor as well as a vast variety of daffodils that flower as early as January, all the way through to May. The spring sun picks up their different shades of yellow and white, spilling their fragrance into the spring air.
"Meanwhile, pink blossom appears on the cherry trees, before the gentle flurry of petals blows through the air, leading to the lush copper colour of the new growth while viburnums and forsythias flower first before they come into leaf.
“After Easter, it won’t be long until bluebell season which, depending on the spring time weather, should occur in May but they have been known to flower in mid April. Our bluebell woods are a wonderful sight and we’ll reopen again when it’s time to see the carpet of blue flowers through the dappled sunlight, which is something really magical.”
Harlaxton Manor and its gardens will be open on Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16, from 10am until 5pm (last entry at 4pm). Adult tickets are available for £15 while child entry is £8.50. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children is available for £40 and concessions are £10 per person. If you’d like to visit for both days, double day tickets are available with a discount.
To book tickets in advance, visit www.harlaxton.co.uk. A limited number of tickets will also be available on arrival at the Manor’s main entrance.
There is more information on Harlaxton Manor and upcoming events on the website. Follow the manor on Facebook (@harlaxtonmanorofficial) and Instagram (@harlaxton_manor).
