Levens Hall and Gardens Creates Festive First

Levens Hall and Gardens, the stunning Elizabethan house close to Kendal, whose gardens include the world’s oldest topiary garden, has created a ‘first’ for those wishing to see both house and garden in a unique and festive way.

Although traditionally closed over winter, Levens Hall and Gardens is this year laying on what promises to be one of the UK’s most memorable festive events.  Between December 16 and 20 inclusive, visitors can enter the candlelit home in full Christmas splendour and view the topiary garden in a brand-new way.

From 4pm to 8pm each day of this event, visitors can tour the house, revelling in festive decorations designed by the head gardener, Chris Crowder, and Tallulah Rose Flowers.  With flickering candles, plus a unique ambience from seasonal scents and sights, the Elizabethan property, renowned for its fine oak panelling and ornate plasterwork, as well as its furniture, clocks, paintings and links to the Stuart Court and the Duke of Wellington, will look stunning and wow visitors with this exceptional fusion of past and present.

Levens Hall and Gardens is also illuminating its topiary garden in a spectacular manner, enabling visitors to view it not only at a time of year at which access is not usually available but also by dark.  The famously shaped trees, ranging from the huge Giant Umbrella tree to Queen Elizabeth and her Maids of Honour, with all manner of other forms and geometric shapes in between, will look stunning and highly photogenic in this very different environment.

Hot food, mulled wine and mince pies and waffles and ice cream will be available from Levens Kitchen café and The Goat Shed, whilst a bar in the Howard Room, with its roaring log-burner fire, will help build a warm glow.  Meanwhile, the Levens Hall courtyard will host a Christmas market, with a variety of local food and drink and artisan crafts suppliers offering lots of gift inspiration, further enriched by Levens Hall’s own Potting Shed Gift Shop.  Heading home without a bottle of Levens Hall’s famous secret recipe, Morocco Ale, would be a real shame, especially as former residents went to such lengths to hide the recipe from Cromwell’s troops during the English Civil War!

Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says: “We wanted to create a very special event this year, to help celebrate our unique house and gardens and give visitors the opportunity to appreciate some of the facets that we, as the family, enjoy here during the festive season.  This also gives us the chance to involve and support some local suppliers and to help local residents end what has again been a difficult year for many, by enjoying uplifting and unique experiences that will create strong memories.”

Suppliers taking part in the event include Goosnargh Gin, Chocolat (Kirkby Lonsdale), Cornucopia Clay, Abbeyhorn, Cable & Blake, Wild & Fruitful, Lakeland Lights, Morgan Leather, Pringle & Fairweather and Happy Home Learning.

Tickets for the festive extravaganza, only available if bought in advance, cost £10 for adults, £6 for children aged 5-16 (with under 5s free of charge) and £29 for a family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children).  All can be booked 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.