Levens Hall and Gardens Rolls Out the ‘Green Carpet’ for Wellness Seekers

Levens Hall and Gardens, in the South Lakes in Cumbria, is inviting visitors to step into serenity this summer, as it rolls out the ‘green carpet’ for wellness seekers.

The historic Elizabethan property is launching a series of brand-new wellbeing experiences, designed to nurture body and mind in one of England’s most historic garden settings.  Anyone searching for health benefits will become a nature VIP during the sessions, which make use of the 10 acres of gardens, including the world’s oldest topiary garden, as well as the nearby Levens Deer Park and woodland.

The green carpet approach also builds on feedback from TV royalty.  Some of the sessions have been directly inspired by Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes episode 3, featuring Robson Green and Helen Skelton visiting Levens Hall and Gardens.  They were shown taking a wellness walk with Francesca Anderson, who will now be replicating that experience for anyone wishing to book a restorative two-hour wellness walk, on May 27, July 26 or August 16.  

Helen Skelton commented that everyone “wants Francesca in their life”, whilst Robson Green reflected on her amazing energy and ability to generate ‘gorgeousness’.  Others wishing to derive the benefit of this approach will soon appreciate what the Levens Hall and Gardens green carpet offering is all about – making participants feel valued but also learning to value themselves. 

This will be highly evident in the new Mindfulness for Menopause and Beyond sessions,  also led by Francesca Anderson, which will help women to help rewire their brain, by channelling the powers of nature to help connect with their neural pathways.  By walking slowly, learning to balance their emotional regulation system and tuning in to the five senses amidst glorious gardens and birdsong, participants will immerse themselves in the present moment.  All will discover who they are, what they want and of what they need to let go, as they embark on a treasure hunt for the small pleasures in life.

These mindfulness sessions, ideal for those encountering the menopause but other wellness seekers too, put self-care into focus, highlighting the requirement to habitually nurture one’s body and mind.  Running between 10am and 4pm on May 28, July 25 and August 15, they should soon put Levens Hall and Gardens firmly on the map, as a centre of wellness and wellbeing.

This process has already started, with yoga in the gardens sessions having launched in 2024.  These continue to feature in the Levens Hall and Gardens events calendar as 75-minute sessions mostly running on a Friday morning, at 9.30am.  These occasions, which will be supplemented by a Yoga and Art event on June 25, in which participants can breathe in nature and then design their own watercolour flower card, demonstrate how the stately home is placing nature firmly at the heart of holistic health.  

The belief in wellness that underpins Levens Hall and Gardens’ green carpet approach is well-rooted in research.  One study showed that gazing at trees for 15 minutes a day significantly improved mood, positivity and mental health.  

According to researchers at Stanford, in the USA, nature quietens the mind, creating less rumination, defined as repetitive negative thinking linked to anxiety and depression.  Adults who took a 90-minute walk in a natural area with trees, as part of this study, saw a dramatic  improvement.

Scans also confirmed that the nature walkers had reduced neural activity in the area of the brain associated with stress and brooding.  

It has also been proven that people connected to nature can be more mindful, with nature and trees engaging our ability to observe and be present.  Nature provides what has been described as a ‘soft fascination’. Trees, leaves and birdsong gently stimulate our brains and encourage contemplation.  Nature literally grounds us in the present with a calm and reflective mindset.

Chloe De Nazelle, the inspiration behind the wellness schedule at Levens Hall and Gardens says, “As more studies show the measurable mental health benefits of spending time in gardens and woodlands, Levens Hall and Gardens is privileged to be able to offer a space where people can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves and the natural world. We are already welcoming those seeking calm, clarity and connection, whether they wish to roll out their yoga mats, or lace up their walking boots

“We’re proud to be rolling out the green carpet this season, inviting people to explore the quiet strength of nature and the simple joy of being present, through our specially curated wellness experiences.  Of course, a simple stroll through our gardens, perhaps extended by a walk through the Levens Deer Park, can also generate many benefits, so we would encourage people to test out the theories, either through a curated experience and event, or by simply visiting us for a day.”

Those who do find the Levens Hall gardens a sanctuary for modern-day wellbeing and a place in which to pause, reflect, and rediscover the restorative rhythms of the natural world, may be able to take advantage of the very cost-effective garden season ticket.  This is ideal for anyone living locally, who can take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy general gardens admission on an unlimited basis, once the season ticket is purchased.  Head to www.levenshall.co.uk to discover more about this, day visits and all of the special wellness events.

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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.