The Gardens
Rebuilt in its present form during Victorian and Edwardian times, Lotherton was owned by the Gasgoigne family until Sir Alvary and Lady Gasgoigne gave the Hall and Estate to the City of Leeds in 1968. There are collections of pottery, porcelain, paintings, sculpture, silver, furniture, jewellery and costume on display. Yet despite this magnificence, the house retains the warmth of a friendly family home we would all love to live in.
Formal Gardens
These famous and distinctive Edwardian gardens surround the Hall on three sides. We owe a great deal for their creation to Mrs Laura Gwendolen Gasgoigne - Sir Alvary's mother. In true Gertrude Jekyll style she divided the gardens in to several parts, each with its own distinctive character from highly formal to semi wild. There is a terrace, a formal garden with gravel paths and yew hedges, a rock garden, a walled garden and the William and Mary garden laid out in the 17th century Dutch style.
Stable Courtyard
In the courtyard you will find toilets including facilities for disabled people, the Estate gift shop with a wide variety of decorative presents and affordable toys and the Rangers Office. The Ice Cream kiosk adjoins the Stables café and restaurant which offers a menu of delicious, freshly baked snacks and main meals served in a friendly family atmosphere. For details and party bookings please ring (0113) 281 2883.
Medieval Lotherton
In the Deer park today you can still see the surviving extent of the Medieval 
field system called ridge and furrow. This may be the largest continuous coverage of ridge and furrow in West Yorkshire. The only existing Medieval building left on the Estate is the Chapel of Ease, a fine example of 12th century architecture. There may have been many changes and renovations over the centuries, but they do not detract from this small chapel with so much character. A Sunday service is held once a month.
Lotherton Estate
Beyond the formal gardens, there is so much to see and do. Walk quietly along the perimeter fence of the deer Park and watch the herd of red deer grazing. Saunter due south, off the beaten track onto Ranger's Walk; or continue beyond the Bird garden entrance, and the countryside is only footsteps away.
Captain Wood Walk
A short easy walk through open mixed broadleaved woodland. See the abundance of flowers and wildlife in the hazel and ash coppice groups. 
Coppicing is the ancient craft of cutting young trees and shrubs to ground level, in a small area - a coup. This allows more sunlight to reach the woodland floor and encourages the regrowth of wildflowers. The path is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs all the year round.
Boundary Trail
Take a stroll around the cattle and horse paddocks on the south eastern side of the Estate on this circular walk of about two thirds of a mile. The hedgerows and pathways are rich with wildflowers and birds, and there are panoramic views of the open countryside. Partway round the trail is a group of standing stones 'Geometry in the Landscape'. Surrounded by flower filled banks and ditches it appeals to visitors either as an astronomical focal point, a place to sit and ponder, or a great natural play area for children of all ages. A leaflet is available from the Estate shop or Rangers office. Suitable for electric wheelchairs and pushchairs in the summer.
Coburnhill Wood Walk
Put on your walking boots and follow Ranger's Walk - an ancient green track and public right of way - south of the estate towards Micklefield. A leaflet is available from the Estate shop or Ranger's office.
The Bird Garden
See 200 magnificent species in one of the most famous and comprehensive 
collections of rare and endangered birds in the country. From flamingos and snowy owls to cassowaries and hornbills, many of them are part of endangered breeding programmes. You can help support the conservation of these beautiful creatures by making a donation or becoming a sponsor. An Environmental Centre is available by prior booking. Visits by schools are normally self-guided and again must be booked in advance. For further information and bookings, please ring (0113) 281 3723.
The Rangers
A Countryside Ranger is based at Lotherton Hall Estate, undertaking practical conservation work to manage a variety of habitats. By prior booking school groups can do a wide variety of educational work using the estate as a learning base. An Environmental Centre is available for use by school groups again by prior booking. 'The Tribal Lands' is the Estate's own environmental educations camping field. Bookings are taken from May to October. A series of annual events is organised for visitors, and there is a weekly Volunteer group, involved in tree planting, coppicing, hedge laying, footpath clearance, and access improvements around the estate. For more information on Lotherton Estate, Volunteers, events, school visits, camping and activities please ring the Ranger's office on (0113) 281 3068.
Lotherton is a very popular place attracting over 3/4 of a million visitors each .jpg)
year. Help us keep Lotherton beautiful, please use the designated parking areas and abide by the Country Code. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Access
The garden is mostly accessible. Accessible trails around the estate. Bird garden is accessible, gravel paths. Cafe and shops both accessible.