What Is The Charlotte Verity Art Exhibition At Harewood House In 2026?

Ever feel like the start of a new year can be a bit... quiet? The excitement of Christmas is over, and it’s still a bit chilly outside. Well, Harewood House has got something pretty special lined up to kick off 2026 that turns the quiet beauty of winter into an amazing experience. They’re hosting a brand-new art exhibition called Charlotte Verity, The Season Following. This is a big deal because it’s the first time the artist, Charlotte Verity, has ever exhibited her work in a historic country house. And it's also her first major show in the north of England, bringing together paintings and prints from the last 20 years of her incredible career.

A walk through the seasons (without leaving the house)

Imagine walking through a whole year in just one afternoon. That's exactly what this exhibition feels like. The journey takes place across five of the grandest rooms in Harewood House. It all starts in winter, with paintings that capture the cool, quiet feeling of the season. Then, you'll move through to spring, summer, and autumn, seeing nature change through the artist's eyes. The whole experience is designed to make you slow down, take your time, and really look closely at the beauty of each season.

Charlotte Verity is an artist who spends a huge amount of time in her garden, watching and painting as the seasons change. She brings bits of nature into her studio to study them, so her paintings are full of amazing detail. It’s not about a quick snapshot; her paintings are slow and thoughtful, making you think about time passing and the world outside. The artist herself has said how special it is to display her work at Harewood.

“To show works in this magnificent sequence of rooms has given me the opportunity to structure an exhibition in a way that exactly reflects the way I work: each painting in its season. Every one is an accumulation of hours of observation and looking closely, while finding ways of putting down what I see. In turn, I hope these paintings will enhance the experience of the natural world for our visitors. They will see things perhaps, a little bit differently.”

And it's not just paintings. The exhibition also includes painted poems related to the seasons, mixing words and pictures together. Plus, in other parts of the house, there are beautiful floral pieces from Harewood’s own collection, including some stunning porcelain that isn’t often on display. This contemporary art show is a fantastic reason to visit the historic house this year.

More than just a pretty picture

Harewood House and its incredible gardens have always been a place where art and nature come together. Think about it: the whole landscape was designed by the famous Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. It's a work of art you can walk through! So, hosting an exhibition about nature and the seasons makes perfect sense. The Harewood House Trust, the charity that looks after this amazing place, is always finding new ways to connect contemporary art with its historic setting.

Zoë Hughes, who is Head of Public Programme at the Trust, explained why this particular artist is a great fit for the new year.

“This year, we want our guests to experience the best Harewood has to offer through every season. We’ve got an incredible programme of events across the year for all ages and interests. Harewood House and its grounds bring nature and art together in one the greatest achievements of English Landscape gardening, so it is particularly well placed to launch 2026 with Charlotte Verity, The Season Following: an exhibition of paintings which focus on the beauty of every season.”

The whole point is to show that winter isn't a season to be endured, but one to be enjoyed for its own unique beauty. It's a time for rest and reflection, and this exhibition is a perfect way to connect with nature when everything outside is sleeping. A quiet walk through the beautiful paintings followed by a wander around the grounds could be just the thing to boost your mood. It’s a chance to take some time for yourself.

What about the kids? A perfect family day out

Worried the children might get bored looking at paintings? Don't be. Harewood has thought of everything to make this a brilliant family day out. The whole estate is basically a giant adventure waiting to happen. There are 140 acres of stunning Yorkshire landscape to explore.

A family friend, Emma, was just saying the other day how her kids never want to leave. There's a huge Adventure Playground where they can climb and slide, a Woodland Wonderland with willow mazes to get lost in, and even a treehouse to discover. And the best part? It's all included in the ticket price. Young explorers can even grab a Nature Safari Bag to help them spot wildlife and the first snowdrops around the lake. A great free addition to the day!

And if the weather isn’t great, there’s plenty to do inside the house, too. The Servants’ Hall has been turned into a Family Fun Space. It’s a cosy spot with:

• Colouring sheets and creative activities that change with the seasons
• A book corner for some quiet time
• Family games to play together
• A special family trail inspired by the Charlotte Verity exhibition

Plus, throughout the winter season, there are free drop-in clubs like the monthly LEGO Club and a Saturday Craft Club. There is genuinely something for children of all ages, so the whole family can have a fantastic time.

All the practical stuff you need to know

The Charlotte Verity, The Season Following exhibition is available to visit from 23 January until 7 June 2026. It’s important to check the opening times before you go, as they change with the seasons.

Dates	Opening Days
23 January – 22 March 2026	Friday – Sunday only
23 March – 7 June 2026	Open daily

Tickets are available now, and it’s cheaper to book online. Kids under 4 go free, and there are special £2 tickets for people receiving certain benefits. If you think you’ll be visiting Harewood a lot throughout the year, it's worth looking into a membership. It gives you unlimited access during the open season and other perks, meaning you can come back and see how the real-life landscape and gardens change with all the seasons, not just the ones in the paintings.