Levens Hall Appeals For Head Gardener Knowledge

Just a few weeks after Horticulture Week named Levens Hall and Gardens’ Chris Crowder as one of the top head gardeners in the UK, the Cumbrian visitor attraction has created a guide to all 11 of the head gardeners who have held the post since the 17th century.

Much research has gone into trying to discover more about the characters who have held the position, with this exercise being part of the preliminary activity for Levens Hall and Gardens’ third World Topiary Day.  

The celebration was created to help celebrate the fact that Levens Hall is home to the world’s oldest topiary garden, founded by the first head gardener, Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, in 1694.  Without the efforts of the other 10 head gardeners who succeeded him, it might not exist today.

The fact that there have only been 11 head gardeners in post at the Cumbrian heritage home is somewhat amazing, given that they have, between them, shared 329 years of clipping and pruning duties in the Topiary Garden alone.  This speaks volumes about the length of time that many of them have been in the role, with Chris Crowder himself having held the position for more than 36 years.

Whilst we know much about Chris as the 11th head gardener, we know relatively little about Monsieur Beaumont.  By focusing on all of the head gardeners, Levens Hall is hoping to find more information about all of them but is particularly keen to uncover the origins of Guillaume Beaumont.  

Last year, it encouraged genealogists to come forward, if they knew anything about a man reputed to have trained at Versailles under Andre le Notre and to have helped create the gardens at Hampton Court Palace.  No further information has yet been received.  The presumption is that any descendants of his would probably be found in France, rather than the UK.

Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says, “We wish to celebrate our 11 head gardeners, without whom we would not have a World Topiary Day.  Each left some kind of legacy here and some of them worked through difficult times, whether those were financial or wartime.  

“We are sure there are relatives and friends out there, who could perhaps contribute some pictures and little bits of detail about our head gardeners.  Photos could then be displayed on Sunday May 14, when we will open our doors and celebrate our third World Topiary Day.  This will also be a day when gardens around the world will be participating, making the audience for our discoveries even bigger.”

Anyone who has any photography relating to the 11 head gardeners – or others who worked with them – can get in contact by emailing WTD@catapultpr.co.uk

Further details about World Topiary Day 2023, can be found 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.