Father Christmas Adds New Elements to South Lakes Home’s Festive Experience

Levens Hall and Gardens is sprinkling brand-new charm into its Christmas 2025 event.  The Hall’s former children’s nursery is set to be a stop-off for Father Christmas, as he spends time planning his Christmas Eve route from the North Pole and warms up in Elizabethan comfort.

In a charming departure, and with a true Downton Abbey feel, families will make their way to the nursery, for a secret chat with the loveable chap, on a pre-booked, ticketed basis.  Their route will take them through the grand doors to Levens Hall, through the awe-inspiring Great Hall, up the stairs and into the Hotspur Room.

There, the child and an accompanying adult will wait to see Father Christmas with one of Santa elves or a Christmas fairy.  When the bearded chap is ready for them, they will find him in Levens Hall’s nursery, beside a Christmas tree, ready to hear what they might have written on the letter that they can bring along for him.

Rumour has it that Father Christmas explored Levens Hall on the quiet last year, as captured on CCTV.  He seemingly enjoyed life in the Elizabethan property so much, he has now decided it’s the perfect place at which to meet some children.

He has also organised for local artist, Bob Sutcliffe, to hold some craft workshops in the property’s Range Tea Room, on both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Adults will not miss out, however.  For the first time, the December offering from Levens Hall will include Friday opening for seasonal guided tours.  Visitors can experience the hall with roaring log fires, exquisite Christmas decorations and impressively tall Christmas tree.  

As a result, December 5, 12 and 19 will see visitors making a bee line to Levens Hall, to get a feel for how its Elizabethan and Jacobean former owners may have celebrated the festive season.   Noting the glorious and elaborately carved mantels, around the fireplaces which would have been such a focal point, will be one not-to-be-missed treat.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the festive feel-good factor will go up another notch as local choirs and bands, Kendal Concert Band, South Lakes Acappella, The Sands Band, The Salvation Army Band and Brewkelele, perform suitably seasonal repertoires within Levens Hall.   The month of December has become a real opportunity for local musicians and singers to showcase their talents at the historic family home.  The programme will feature selected bands and choirs from the full list, on individual dates, with this musical joy taking place on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21.  To add to all of this, the Levens Gift Shop will offer festive shopping inspiration.

On all days, entry will also include a chance to visit the World Record-holding Topiary Garden and experience it in its newly cut and sharp form.  It is arguably one of the best times of year to appreciate the various quirky ‘characters’ and shapes formed out of yew and beech.

Meanwhile, Levens Kitchen’s festive menu launches on November 14 and continues through the dates of the festive programme.  Customers can not only devour a traditional Norfolk Bronze turkey lunch but also experience last year’s huge and rather more unconventional hit -  Pigs in Blankets pizza!  Round that culinary treat off with a frangipane mince pie from Levens Bakery and the day out will be a massive talking point.

The Friday experience, with guided tour of the festively decorated Hall, costs £8.50 per adult and £2 per child aged 5-16. Opening times are 11am to 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm.  

Saturdays’ and Sundays’ musical experiences are available at an entry price of £9.50 per adult and £2 per child aged 5-16 and entry times are 10.30am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm.  

Tickets for a visit to Father Christmas cost £20 per child visiting Santa.  This includes the opportunity for one accompanying adult to join them and children will receive a small present. Other adults can buy entrance tickets at the kiosk on the day and be in the Hall awaiting the return of the excited child following their chat with Father Christmas. 

Owner Richard Bagot says, “Levens Hall and Gardens is still a privately run family home that extends a warm welcome to visitors who also wish to experience it.  Although we are officially closed until March 27, 2026, we love to open our doors in December and share the festive spirit of the Hall with other families and visitors.  It is also an opportunity to see the world’s oldest topiary garden at its most dramatic, with precisely cut trees silhouetted against a wintry sky.”      

To book, head to www.levenshall.co.uk                                            

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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.