Harewood House has won the 2026 Frances Garnham Award for Education

Harewood House has won the prestigious 2026 Frances Garnham Award for Education, presented by Historic Houses, sponsored by Purcell.

Harewood has won this year’s award for their education programme, exploring Harewood’s connections to the transatlantic slave trade and its continuing impact today.  

Through on-site sessions, live online workshops and self-directed visits, hundreds of students have engaged with the human stories behind this history, in a programme designed to encourage empathy, critical thinking and reflection. 

Built in the 18th century and designed by architect John Carr, Harewood House is found in the heart of Yorkshire, between Leeds and Harrogate. Visitors can explore the Palladian-style house, its collections and more than 100 acres of gardens and parkland. 

The award commemorates the achievements of Frances Garnham, who worked as Director of Policy and Campaigns at Historic Houses until 2015. Frances was passionate about encouraging heritage sites to embrace the opportunities of engaging with a wide range of audiences, and this award in her name seeks to shine a light on innovative examples of learning and outreach. 

This year, the award is being sponsored for the first time by Purcell. With a distinguished history of conservation and sustainable design dating back to 1947, Purcell’s approach to heritage has made them ideal partners in continuing Frances’ legacy and strengthening the award’s future. 
 
Mary Walsh, Learning and Engagement Manager at Harewood House said: “We are over the moon to receive this award. For the last four years, a priority for our formal learning programme has been the continuous development of our Transatlantic Slave Trade sessions, and it means a lot to be recognised for our innovative and meaningful approach to this topic. We hope to inspire other institutions with challenging histories to take a similar approach to their learning programme and help shape the next generation into critical, well-balanced thinkers when it comes to Britain’s past.”
 
Thomas Brigden, Purcell Partner and a member of the judging panel, said: “We were extremely impressed with the way Harewood have used their house, gardens and archive to make the difficult histories of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade tangible and relevant to students. The sensory, innovative approach in the gardens stood out, as did the moving focus on ‘small acts of rebellion’, which gave every child something positive to connect with. A worthy winner.”