Levens Bakery Duo Given Food For Thought by ‘Copenhagen’ Discovery

The dynamic duo of bakers who have just opened the doors of the exciting new South Lakes-based bakery takeaway, Levens Bakery, have been given some food for thought, having delved a little into the history books.

As Robert Stacey and Mireia Ferreres Luna, competitors on Series 5 of Bake Off: The Professionals in 2022, plan the sweet and savoury delights that will grace their counter in the months ahead, they have also been given the challenge of seeing whether they can name something after a horse.

The horse in question is Copenhagen, the trusted mount of the Duke of Wellington.  Whilst Wellington is associated with historic houses such as Apsley House, many people may not realise there is also a strong connection to Levens Hall and Gardens, where Levens Bakery is based.

Various items belonging to both Wellington and his adversary, Napoleon and inherited by Wellington’s niece, Mary Wellesley, can be found at Levens Hall and viewed by those booking a tour of the exquisite Elizabethan home.  This is a major pull for visitors and it was whilst a little research was being conducted into Wellington, and his love of the steed that stood strong with him during 17 tortuous hours of battle at Waterloo, that a strange fact came to light.

Copenhagen, a 15-hands-high, chestnut horse, born in 1808,  retired from service after Waterloo (1815) and was put out to grass at the Duke’s Stratfield Saye estate.  There, the horse, of mixed thoroughbred and Arabian parentage, whose mother was the offspring of a Derby winner, is said to have developed a very sweet tooth.

Copenhagen had always had a curious habit of eating only whilst lying down but he suddenly started to consume far too many sugary dainties, such as “sponge cakes, bath buns and chocolate creams.”  It was said that this led to his 1836 demise, at the age of 28, leading to a burial overseen by the Duke himself.

This historic link to baked goods and patisserie has now got the Levens Bakery team thinking hard about something that could be named in Copenhagen’s honour and put on sale, to delight others with a similar love of sweet bakes.  

Given the skill that Robert and Mireia showed on Bake Off: the Professionals, in producing everything from a London-themed treacle tart to bees filled with a peach compote centre, this, as they say, should be a piece of cake.

With Levens Bakery now open, it’s very much a case of ‘watch this space’ when it comes to how Copenhagen might be honoured and making a bee-line to the new foodie outlet, to check out the delights in person, the moment the opportunity arises.

Head to www.levenshall.co.uk for all of the latest updates on Levens Bakery.                        

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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.