10 Reasons to Put Levens Hall and Gardens On Your Itinerary in 2023

Levens Hall and Gardens in Cumbria is enticing group visitors in 2023, with a combination of fascinating history tours, glorious garden inspiration and the special event of World Topiary Day.

The attraction is also now open six days a week, with Friday opening a new development for 2023. The Hall and Gardens are now only closed on Saturdays, although the contemporary eatery, Levens Kitchen, opens every day, as does the Levens Hall shop.

Levens Hall and Gardens is located in the South Lakes, close to Kendal, and offers group visitors the opportunity to tour the county’s most stunning Elizabethan property, as well as gardens frequently voted some of Britain’s finest

To put its offering in context, Levens Hall and Gardens has highlighted 10 reasons for group operators to put a visit to Levens Hall and Gardens on their itinerary in 2023.

1. Visit the World's Oldest Topiary Garden

Levens Hall’s topiary garden, designed by Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, is a Guinness world-record holder, being the world’s oldest. Over 100 topiary pieces absorb group visitors of all ages, with shrubs cut into geometric, abstract and themed shapes depicting objects and characters, including the Great Umbrella Tree, the Toppling Wedding Cake and Queen Elizabeth I and her Maids of Honour.

2. World Topiary Day

Levens Hall and Gardens’ third World Topiary Day takes place on Sunday May 14 and a few pre-booked coaches can be accommodated, on a first-come first-served basis. Visitors can enjoy ‘Talking Topiary’ tours led by head gardener, Chris Crowder, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, learning about amazing pieces within the Topiary Garden. The European Boxwood and Topiary Society (EBTS) will provide table-top topiary demonstrations, offering tips about getting started with this gardening art-form.

3. First-class food and drink

Levens Kitchen is an award-winning venue, regarded as one of the best eateries at a visitor attraction. This offers groups an opportunity to not only visit an outstanding attraction but also enjoy a great range of refreshments and meal choices.

4. Earliest English Patchwork and Elizabethan Interiors

Levens Hall’s interior furnishings are glorious and include the oldest English patchwork. Dating back to 1708, this was crafted by the wife of the Hall’s 17th century owner, Colonel James Grahme, and his daughters. Group visitors can also admire unique Spanish leather wall coverings, truly ornate plasterwork and fine oak panelling, not to mention a fine clocks’ collection.

5. Earliest English Ha-ha

The Levens Hall garden includes the earliest English example of a ha-ha – a sunken ditch that prevented animals from entering the gardens and provided an uninterrupted view of the landscape.

6. Tours

Booking a tour of Levens Hall is a fabulous experience and one allowing schoolchildren to learn more about the Elizabethan house and its 13th century Pele Tower, built as a defence against Scottish raiders. However, visitors of all ages can find something of huge interest, if they take a tour of the Hall, learning all about Levens Hall owners, from the de Redmans to the current-day Bagots.

7. Herbaceous borders

Garden enthusiasts can delight in magnificent herbaceous borders, said to be amongst the finest in England and themed as Pastel and Red and Purples. 30,000 bedding plants, all grown on-site, put on a not-to-be-missed visual and sensory display, especially in the summer months.

8. Links to the Duke of Wellington

Levens Hall is home to a selection of fascinating artefacts belonging to the Duke of Wellington and his adversary, Napoleon, thanks to the Duke's niece marrying into the Bagot family and being gifted various items. Group visitors have a brilliant opportunity to see some amazing possessions that were once handled or owned by a British military hero.

To find out more about a group visit to Levens Hall and Gardens in 2023 or to pre-book a group tour, head to www.levenshall.co.uk, call 015395 60321 or email houseopening@levenshall.co.uk Groups of more than 10 people cannot usually be accommodated without pre-booking.

Levens Hall and Gardens offers free coach parking to pre-arranged group tours and complimentary admission is available for a tour leader or Blue Badge guide. Light refreshments and admission to the Gardens is also available for the group's coach driver.

Tours of the Hall must be booked in advance and run from 10am (minimum of 10 people, maximum of 40) or you can visit the House on a free-flow basis any time between 11am and 3.30pm (last entry 3pm, house closes promptly at 3.30pm).

Pre-arranged private guided tours of the Gardens can be conducted at any time throughout the day to suit your itinerary. These tours last approximately 45-60 minutes and cost £100, in addition to the admission price. Alternatively the gardens can be enjoyed on a free-flow basis.

Ends

Editors notes

Levens Hall and Gardens is open from April 2, 2023, Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays) to October 6, 2023. Gardens opening hours are 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.

The Potting Shed Gift Shop is also open daily from 10am to 5pm, Sunday to Friday, and 10.30am to 3pm on Saturdays, until October 6, 2023 and then closing two hours earlier thereafter, through to December 23, 2023.

Levens Kitchen opens every day, from 10am to 5pm to October 6, 2023, then closing one hour earlier through to December 23, 2023. For groups numbering more than 15, Levens Kitchen offers a number of dining options, should the group wish to eat together.

Toilets, including a fully equipped accessible toilet with a low level alarm for emergencies, are located in both the courtyard and Levens Kitchen.

Careful negotiation of the main entrance gates is required by coaches and the gateway should ideally be approached from Junction 36 of the M6 motorway, rather than from the Milnthorpe/Carnforth Junction 35 of the M6.

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.