Levens Hall Determined to Bring its ‘Treasure Trove’ to the Fore

In a month in which a similar bee clasp to that of Napoleon’s housed at Levens Hall and Gardens went under the hammer in the auction room, the Cumbrian visitor attraction is urging visitors not to overlook the joys of its house.

Many visitors find it difficult to tear themselves away from the glorious gardens to step indoors.  According to one of the passionate Hall guides, Sarah Miller, if that is what they do, they are “missing out” on an “absolute treat”.

Sarah detailed all that the Hall has to offer most brilliantly when recording a 2023 podcast. In this, she also stated that Levens Hall is “a treasure trove of artwork and architecture, furniture and stories and history unfolding before your very eyes.”

Now, she and the other Hall guides, including owner Richard Bagot, who often leads tours around his family home on request, are determined to make the house as well-appreciated as the gardens.

That may seem a tall order, considering that the gardens contain a variety of remarkable aspects, including the world’s oldest topiary garden.  If you delve into what the Levens house has to offer, however, the decision to visit both house and garden may soon become a simple one to make.

Napoleon’s bee clasp, taken from his cloak after the Battle of Waterloo and given to the Duke of Wellington is just one joy.  Anyone who loves focusing on dramatic moments in history will also love to see other items, including the Duke of Wellington’s spectacles, his campaign camp bed, a lock of his hair and gloves removed from his hands after Waterloo, by Lady Mornington.

Another joy is the Sèvres chocolate service, which Napoleon had ordered from the acclaimed porcelain manufacturer, but never managed to pick up, due to being otherwise detained after defeat on the battlefield.  Other of his possessions on display include an Arabian Saddle, which Richard Bagot regards as the most interesting thing in the house.

Move around the house and the unfolding of history continues.  Some of that relates to the Elizabethan period and is evidenced in glorious carved overmantles, which seem to get more and more splendid as you move around.  The overmantle in the Small Drawing Room is truly spectacular and ornate, depicting the senses, the seasons and the elements, as well as displaying the coat of arms of the Bellingham family, who owned the property in the 17th century. 

Learning how some furnishings worked in practise is another joy, with this being true of items such as a travelling writing cabinet, designed to screw down within a carriage, to avoid it being taken away.  

Another item conveys early medical history and is always a favourite with the children.  This is the bleeding chair, in which leeches would be placed on the owner of the house at the time, Colonel James Grahme, to carry out the blood sucking that was believed to cure all ills.

Every item can really have its own story attached to it, whether that relates to the furniture designer or artist, the reason it arrived at Levens Hall, or its purpose. This evocative storytelling can bring everything to life, whether that is the earliest known example of patchwork in England, dating from 1708, or the Levens constable glasses once used at the infamous Radish Feast.

Richard Bagot says, “Sometimes it feels as if we are hiding our light under a bushel when it comes to the house, where there is just so much to see and learn about. We are determined to put that right as we head into late summer and autumn, enticing more people indoors.  If they do venture inside, there are so many treats, from Cordova leather wallpaper, some patterns within which have never been found elsewhere, to early examples of swivel chairs in the form of Dutch Burgermeister chairs.”

One thing that visitors to the house must spot, the minute the step outside again, are the symbols of the ace of hearts on the downpipes.  There is another story to be explored there and all they need do, if they wish to know about it, is ask.

“A curious mind is everything here,” says Richard Bagot.  “Almost every item can delight and surprise, if you ask the right questions.  Looking at the items is not enough.  You need to discover their purpose and their backstory and then it is as if history falls into place.”

Visiting Levens Hall on a ticket that includes access to both house and gardens costs £16.45 for an adult, £5.50 for a child and £41 for a family ticket for two adults and up to three children aged 5-16. The house opens for general admission at 11am and closes at 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm.

Those wishing to book a tour should call the Levens Hall office on 015395 60321, extension 211.

Ends

Editors notes

Levens Hall & Gardens is a historic house in the South Lakes, Cumbria, close to Kendal and home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, dating from 1694, created by French garden designer, Guillaume Beaumont. The Hall is a stunning Elizabethan house built around a 13th century pele tower and has close links to the Duke of Wellington, as well as various items which once belonged to him and Napoleon Bonaparte. Levens Park is home to the rare Bagot goats gifted to the Bagot family and a place in which to stroll and enjoy nature. Levens Kitchen is the contemporary new cafe, full of delights for cake lovers and foodies alike.