Psst. Why May 11 is the Best Day to Spy on the World’s Oldest Topiary Garden

Feeling bushed by overseas travel?  Have a burning desire to get outdoors and see something sensational in the UK?  Perhaps a visit to the world’s oldest topiary garden and an entrée into the world of topiary tourism is required? Well, there’s no better time than mid-May.

That’s when Guinness World Record-holding Levens Hall and Gardens celebrates its roots all the way back to 1694, through its World Topiary Day celebration, this year taking place on Sunday, May 11. World Topiary Day is now a worldwide sensation, thanks to Levens Hall and Gardens ambassadorial activity, the best place to celebrate it is where it all began – in the South Lakes garden that everyone holds up as the blueprint for a formal topiary garden.

Levens Hall and Gardens founded World Topiary Day to spread the love of this style of garden and that’s what its World Topiary Day on Sunday May 11 will do.  If you haven’t ever felt like Alice walking into Wonderland, this is the place to do it, with over 100 topiary pieces, of all personalities, shapes and sizes, ready to wow.

From Elizabeth I and her Maids of Honour to Homer Simpson and Darth Vader, the topiary art could not be more diverse, But it is only on May 11 that you can take a public tour and get the lowdown on how it’s all kept looking pristine and sensational, all these centuries on.

Head gardener, Chris Crowder, will be sharing secrets about the Topiary Garden’s upkeep, on two special tours taking place at 11 am and 2 pm.  Whether he’s explaining all about the Great Umbrella trees, now around 330 years old, or talking about how some trees have changed their identity over the centuries, visitors will be enthralled.

Secrets are the essence of World Topiary Day 2025 and the Cumbria Small Visitor Attraction of the Year is now of the thinking that its founder, who is shrouded in mystery, could have been, like many gardeners of his time, a secret agent.  On this basis, it will be turning children into the same, exploring nature and translating their impressions into creative visual representations in a topiary making and painting workshop.  

On this basis, it will be turning children into the same, exploring nature and translating their impressions into creative visual representations in a topiary making and painting workshop, under the direction of Laura Bolton, Head of Art at Sedbergh School (additional charge of £20, with no charge for accompanying adult).

Running between 10am and 12.30pm and then 1pm to 3.30pm, this will help youngsters appreciate life outdoors and, once their creativity has created a few masterpieces, they can expend energy exploring the the Fountain Garden, orchard, playground, herb and vegetable garden, towering Beech Circle and glorious herbaceous borders and walkways.

This will help youngsters appreciate life outdoors and, once their creativity has created a few masterpieces, they can expend energy exploring the the Fountain Garden, orchard, playground, herb and vegetable garden, towering Beech Circle and glorious herbaceous borders and walkways.

There will be atmospheric music played in the garden, plus fizz served in Levens Kitchen. Secret recipe brown sauce can also be appreciated there, whilst acclaimed secret recipe Morocco Ale – the details of which were hidden in the gardens during the English Civil War – can be found in the shop. 

Anyone wanting to know more about the enigmatic garden founder, Monsieur Beaumont, can head inside Levens Hall and see his portrait. Other highlights include Napoleon’s bee clasp cloak brooch from Waterloo, a lock of the Duke of Wellington’s hair, the Sèvres chocolate service that Napoleon had intended to give to his mother, and the oldest example of patchwork in the UK too. Add to this leather wallpaper, fantastic plasterwork, woodcarving and Elizabethan panelling and glorious stained glass and there’s so much to discover.

Entrance to Levens Hall and Gardens costs no more on World Topiary Day than any other day but offers tremendous added value with the special tours.  And, of course, any visitor can say they were at the venue, where it all began, fully embracing the joys of topiary tourism on the day itself.  

Admission costs £16.45 for an adult, £5.50 for a child and £41 for a family of two adults and up to three children aged 5-16.  Gardens-only admission is £12.45, £4.50 and £31 respectively.  Tickets can be bought in advance at www.levenshall.co.uk or at the entrance kiosk, on arrival.  

The Gardens are open 10am to 5pm and the House from 11am to 3.30pm.  Last entry is at 4pm and 3pm respectively.

If you cannot go, but are interested in a topiary tourism adventure on a future date, just download the Topiary Tourism guide from www.levenshall.co.uk and read about 35 gardens, across the UK, France, Italy, Belgium and USA, in which topiary is the main attraction.

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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.