Levens Hall and Gardens Forges Stronger Links With European Counterparts

Cumbrian visitor attraction, Levens Hall and Gardens, has become even closer to the European topiary community by becoming a member of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society (EBTS).

The historic property, home to the world’s oldest topiary garden, dating back to 1694, has become increasingly involved with the European topiary community, since creating its hugely successful initiative, World Topiary Day. 

This annual event has ignited the passion of European topiary gardens and seen them arranging their own events in celebration over the World Topiary Day weekend, which occurs each May.  This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday May 12.

This celebratory day has brought Levens Hall and Gardens closer to the world topiary community in general and to classic French gardens, like those at the Palace of Versailles, in particular.  That is very appropriate, as the Cumbrian garden has historic associations with Versailles, due to the early years of its topiary garden’s founder. Monsieur Guillaume Beuamont is said to have trained at Versailles under Andre Le Nôtre.

The 2023 event brought a delegation from the EBTS to Levens Hall and Gardens, to celebrate World Topiary Day in the garden that was its inspiration.  The EBTS President, Patrick Salembier, led the delegation, which discovered all that goes into maintaining the oldest topiary garden in the world, through a tour given by head gardener, Chris Crowder.

Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says, “We are delighted to have forged such strong bonds with European gardens over the past three years and are now officially part of the EBTS.  We are sure that this can only make our relationship with the best topiary gardens in Europe and the USA even stronger.”

World Topiary Day planning for 2024 is already underway and is sure to see events staged worldwide, once again.  All details will be released nearer to the time and will be posted at the Levens Hall and Gardens website at 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.