Temple Newsam has an ancient history. The Doomsday Book of 1086 records a manor close to the present day site as 'Neuhusum' meaning 'new houses'. Around 1155 the land became the property of the military-religious order of the Knights Templar, and therefore the pre-fix 'Temple'.

The property passed to Thomas Lord Darcy who built the first large house in about 1500-20 on a four-sided courtyard plan. All that remains visible of that house is the central block of the three blocks now standing. It retains many original features notably the rectangular bay windows and diaper patterned brickwork.

Darcy was beheaded for treason in 1537 and the property was seized by the crown and given to Henry V111's neice, Margaret Countess of Lennox. her son, henry Lord Danley, the future husband of Mary Queen of Scots, was born in the house.

In 1622, after a perid of neglect, Temple Newsam was bought by a wealthy Yorkshire financier, Sir Arthur Ingram, whose decendents lived there for the next 300 years. He remodelled most of the Tudor House, altering the outside two wings. He deoloshed the fourth wing and added an iscription which in large letters goes round all three remaining wings.

The property was aquired by Leeds Council in the 1920's for £35,000. Considerable care has gone into the restoration and maintenace not only of the house, but also the gardens.