A Day Out at Levens Hall

After spending some of your stay exploring shorelines or hiking amongst the hills, you might want to discover some of the local man-made beauty too. Just outside of the National Park boundaries you’ll find Levens Hall. Regularly voted by TripAdvisor users as one of the top things to do in the area and it’s not hard to see why…

A house filled with intriguing history.

The Elizabethan mansion was built around the 13^th-century pele tower and is now home to the Bagot family. A stroll around the house allows you to take in the Cordova leather wall coverings, Jacobean furniture and fine panelling. Through the ages, each generation as left their own aesthetic marks, extensions and beautiful pieces which all culminates in quite the impressive collection.

Right from the moment you make your way up to the house by the north-facing stone staircase, you’ll be able to appreciate the cluster of architectural styles. Inside, each room is ornately decorated with plasterwork ceilings and finished with stunning clocks, paintings and fine furniture to tour at your own pace.

Take a moment of quiet in the gardens.

The Topiary Gardens at Levens Hall are famous across the world for their meticulously trimmed sculptures and carefully-tended to hedges. Originally laid out by Guillaume Beaumont in 1960, the garden has seen an evolution from the original late-Renaissance Baroque lay out, to through to the dramatic Victorian shapes that are present today.

Of course, there isn’t just the topiary to see. Seasonal planting areas filled with over thirty thousand flowers provide year-round colour and for a truly serene stroll you can make your way through the avenue of oak trees that line the path to the parkland. You could also take time to experience the quiet spaces of the fine old orchard, willow labyrinth and rose garden, as well as the wall borders, vegetable and herb gardens, and the wonderfully fragrant rose garden.

Photo credit: Andrew Richardron, Cumbria Media Library

Let the kids run wild.

Not only are the acres of gardens and parkland perfect for running in and exploring, Levens Hall also has a number of activities for kids to take part in. Their interactive Creepy Crawly Corner encourages young children to find out more about the wildlife and insects that they might find in the gardens and the playground is a great place to let off some steam and have some fun.

You can also help them understand the beauty of the house with the quiz. Test their observation skills and help them to learn about the history of the mansion at the same time.

A taste of the local life.

If you forget to take a picnic to Levens Hall then don’t panic, because it will give you the opportunity to sample local delicacies. The seasonally-inspired menu is brimming with delicious dishes made from locally sourced produce and even ingredients grown in the on-site kitchen garden. With Morocco Ale and Clipped Bush Beers on offer too, you can sit and sip away as you take in the exceptional surroundings.

There’s no need to book a table, simply turn up between 10am and 4pm for a brunch or lunch that’s ideal for the whole family. There are highchairs and activity packs for the little ones to keep them amused, which will give you a chance to sample the delights in peace. What’s more, if you’ve got a sweet tooth then the luxurious afternoon tea or traditional cream tea are sure to hit the spot.

To make a saving on your tickets, be sure to buy them ahead of time online. You can also get tickets for the Levens Deer Park where you’ll be able to fish for salmon, sea trout and brown trout too.

Photo credit: Andrew Richardron Photography, Cumbria Media Library

Header photo credit: Andrew Richardron Photography, Cumbria Media Library