Levens Hall Gardens Set to Stage Transformation in 2026

Historic home, Levens Hall and Gardens, is undergoing a series of transformations in 2026.  As part of this, its gardens will be turned into a choral amphitheatre, a jungle, King Arthur’s Camelot and the Forest of Arden.

Garden enthusiasts should panic not.  None of this means the end of the world’s oldest topiary garden, or of features such as the towering Beech Circle, the Fountain Garden or the Orchard.  All transformations will be merely temporary, as the gardens become the back-drop for a series of musical and theatrical performances.

The court of Camelot will be in evidence on June 20, when the Three Inch Fools put on their unique laugh-out-loud production, King Arthur and the Holy Fail.  Packed with medieval mayhem, it promises an evening of rib-tickling Arthurian adventure.

The tropical transformation of the garden will take place on July 19, when Levens Hall and Gardens stages a performance of the Jungle Book, by Immersion Theatre.  This will provide fun for all the family, from age 4 upwards, and features lots of original songs and audience interaction.

Finally, Levens Hall’s gardens will assume the feel of the Forest of Arden for a performance of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ on July 29, when the Handlebards travelling theatre company returns to the South Lakes gardens.

Transformation is not a word associated with Levens Hall and Gardens, which is why it still has its topiary garden dating from 1694. Despite gardening fashions changing dramatically during the 18th century, with a move away from formality led by figures such as Capability Brown, the gardens at Levens Hall remained untouched. This is what makes Levens topiary garden unique on the world stage.

This rare occurrence may well be down to fate, with no male heir inheriting Levens Hall for generations.  Female owners with an emotional attachment to the gardens, as well as husbands with properties elsewhere which were their main residence, did not rip up the gardens to plant something new.  The ‘fate’ also links to the famous ‘curse’ on Levens Hall, said to have been laid by an old woman turned away from the Hall in the  late 17th century, when seeking food and water. 

Enraged, she supposedly stated there would be no male heir at Levens until the River Kent stopped flowing and a white fawn was born into the famous black deer herd in Levens Park.  When a male heir, Alan Desmond Bagot, was born in 1896, his birth coincided with the complete freezing of the river and the arrival of a white fawn.

Having Levens Hall become a backdrop against which temporary transformations can be made is increasingly the mission of owners Richard Bagot and Chloe de Nazelle.  Their attempts to introduce the property to many more visitors is also seeing Chloe spearheading wellness transformations, through yoga and mindfulness events staged in the gardens.  These are accompanied by talent transformations for the participants in a wide variety of artistic workshops staged at the historic family home.

To witness any of the ‘transformations’ this year, the best advice is to book ahead.  All details 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.