Visit the Ultimate ‘Umbrella Attraction’

Head to Lake District heritage home, Levens Hall and Gardens for the ultimate post-heatwave ‘umbrella attraction’ experience.  

Visitors to the Elizabethan property can view the Great Umbrella Tree, way over 300 years old and one of over 100 eye-catching pieces (including another umbrella tree) within the world’s oldest topiary garden.

They can also hit the “Wellington Trail” to view items once belonging to the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte, see England’s earliest patchwork, dating from 1708, and some stunning décor, including Italian plasterwork, Elizabethan wood carving and Spanish Cordova leather ‘wallpaper’ from 1692.

There are plenty of items with royal connections, clocks of all shapes and sizes and a stunning collection of harpsichords.  Wonderful stained glass windows catch the eye, whilst a copper vat, dating from the late 17thcentury, was once used for brewing. Levens Hall is famous for its remarkable Morocco Ale, the recipe for which was once hidden in the gardens, to prevent it falling into the hands of Cromwell’s troops, so this vat was most probably used in its creation.

Those loving social history will be drawn to the Levens Constable glasses hanging on the wall by the Returning Staircase, with these huge drinking glasses once having been used at Levens Hall’s infamous Radish Feast.  At this event, newcomers had to pass a sort of initiation test, crossing the bowling green in a straight line.  Simple enough?  Not perhaps after downing a constable of Morocco Ale, being blindfolded and hopping on one leg, as required!

Entrance to Levens Hall and Gardens costs £14.50 for an adult ticket for Gardens and tour of the Hall.  A child’s ticket is priced at £5 and a family ticket at £36.  Gardens-only tickets are priced at £10.50, £4 and £26, respectively.  Hall and Gardens tickets currently have to be bought on the day, but Gardens-only tickets can be purchased online at www.levenshall.co.uk

Levens Hall and Gardens opens Sunday to Thursday (closed Fridays and Saturdays) to October 6, 2022.  Gardens’ opening hours are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.  The Hall opens at 10am for tours (subject to availability on the day) and at 11am for general admission and is open until 3.30pm (last entry at 3pm).  

The contemporary Levens Kitchen is available to offer a variety of edible temptations to Hall and Gardens visitors but also to those just wishing to enjoy a great snack or delicious lunch.  It opens every day, from 10am to 5pm to October 6, 2022 and then closes one hour earlier thereafter, through to December 23, 2022.  There is also the Levens gift shop to enjoy, which opens from 10am to 5pm until October 6 and then closes at 3pm, until December 23, 2022.

Find out more at www.levenshall.co.uk and remember that, whatever the weather, Levens Hall and Gardens is the ultimate ‘umbrella attraction.’                                                           

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.