Levens Hall on a slightly misty May day.
The house is interesting with family association with Wellington in his battles. The garden is famous for its topiary and the floral displays change with the seasons. The full flush of summer being a premium in our opinion.
Across the road outside the house is a path in the River Kent valley. The Kent having a tidal bore downstream from the railway viaduct on some days.
This house is part of the Historic Houses group so we pay to enter. With the aim of visiting the gardens 4 times in a year we buy a garden season ticket.
On arrival parking is free. Go to the ticket booth and buy your tickets for the garden and/or house, you never know when a large group might arrive. Then go into the cafe which has been extended and modernised. It’s open all year when the house and garden close in Winter. The cafe, gift shop and bakery are open to all without a ticket.
After coffee a walk in the garden which is split into several sections separated by high hedges. The flowers are lovely, especially in summer, and vegetables are grown and allowed to mature as planting. Leave the garden via the shop not via the entrance.
There are a few walks. The house grounds extend over the main road. Going through a stile to walk along a path above the River Kent valley, around a mile, to the other end of the park, lined by trees and with deer. We normally turn back here.
Alternatively you can get across the river by following the lane to a bridge over the river. Turning left takes you back along the other side of the river. Turning right takes you to Sizergh Castle. Perhaps calling in at Sizergh Barn which is cafe, delicatessen, clothing and art shop at a farm enroute to the castle. The Castle has quite a long entrance road so a decision about not going in and carrying on to Levens by the circle route needs taking. It gets too complicated to explain. A map is helpful.
