Levens Hall Re-shapes Event to Focus on the Essence of Christmas

Lake District visitor attraction, Levens Hall and Gardens, has changed its special Christmas event, to take into account pressures on household budgets during the cost of living crisis.

Although Levens Hall and Gardens traditionally closes in the first week of October each year, it has, for the past two years, opened especially for Christmas.  However, this hugely popular ticketed event, involving a lighting up of the gardens and a Christmas food and drink market, has come at a cost of around £12 per adult and half as much for children.

This year, Levens Hall and Gardens did not wish to ask visitors to spend this amount, or feel under pressure to buy gifts, but still wanted to provide a unique experience.  It has now created an event that is less than half the price of the original Christmas event but which still offers entry to both house and topiary garden, with extra delights besides.

The Levens Hall and Gardens ‘Silhouettes and Song’ Christmas event will take place on three weekends – December 2 and 3, 9 and 10 and 16 and 17.  On those dates, Levens Hall and the world’s oldest topiary garden – a Guinness World Record holder – will be open from 11am to 4pm, with last entry to the garden at 3.30pm and payment (£5.50 for adults and £2 for children) at the gate.

The topiary garden’s opening at this time of year allows the public to see over 100 topiary trees at their stunning best.  This is the time when they have been perfectly clipped by the team of dedicated gardeners and when they provide a visually fantastic spectacle when silhouetted against a winter sky.  This can make it easier to appreciate both the geometric shapes and special character trees, such as the Great Umbrellas, Queen Elizabeth I, Darth Vader and Homer Simpson.

Stepping inside Levens Hall will allow visitors to view many features and items that have made the house one of England’s most cherished heritage gems.  It will exude all its Elizabethan charm, thanks to atmospheric festive décor, stunning Christmas tree and roaring fire.

These seasonal additions to historic spaces that already wow with their stunning craftmanship conveyed in a variety of materials, including wood, plaster and stained glass, will be the backdrop for music played by a changing programme of artists, throughout the festive event.

Musicians to play on the Silhouettes and Song schedule will include South Lakes Acappella and Levens Choir, with the programme intended to present a variety of different music and song, from choral to brass.   Levens Hall is also happy to try to accommodate any others who wish to be part of this spine-tingling musical feast.

Whilst visiting, there will be the option for visitors to select from a festive menu in Levens Kitchen, with dishes and treats including Norfolk Bronze turkey with trimmings and Pithivier of hay-baked celeriac with trimmings.  Levens Bakery, which opened in the summer, will also be offering festive bakes and cakes for sale, whilst the Levens gift shop will have lots of inspiration for those seeking Christmas gifts.

Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says, “We know some families are struggling to afford heritage experiences during the cost of living crisis and at a time of rising petrol and diesel prices.  For this reason, we are offering an event at a much lower charge, which is quintessentially British and which will convey the essence of a traditional Christmas.  

“We anticipate that the opportunity to hear some of the performers, within the setting of our glorious Elizabethan hall, will create memories for a lifetime and deliver a very unique and moving experience.  Add to this the opportunity to tick a visit to the world’s oldest topiary garden off the bucket list and we believe we are providing excellent value for money.”

Details of how to find Levens Hall and Gardens, for those ready to pop one of the dates in their diary, are 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.