Levens Hall Historic House
Step inside one of the most extraordinary places in the whole of the Lake District.
Levens Hall is a stunning Elizabethan mansion built around an ancient 13th-century pele tower — a type of fortified stone tower common in the north of England.
Set within 9,000 acres of beautiful parkland, where the River Kent winds between great oak and beech trees, it welcomes over 43,000 visitors every year.
The house started life in the 13th century but was greatly expanded in the late 1500s into the impressive building you see today.
It has been home to the Bagot family for generations, and what makes it truly unusual is that it has never been bought or sold in the normal way — except for one remarkable moment in 1686, when owner Alan Bellingham lost the estate in a high-stakes card game.
It passed to his cousin, Colonel James Grahme, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Inside Levens Hall
Inside the Hall Once through the doors, you’ll discover a wonderful collection of Jacobean furniture, beautiful paintings, and the earliest known example of English patchwork.
History fans will love the display of items belonging to the Duke of Wellington, including his spectacles, his campaign camp bed, a lock of his hair, and even the gloves removed from his hands after the Battle of Waterloo.
The Famous Gardens
The gardens at Levens Hall are world-famous — and for very good reason.
Founded in 1694, the topiary garden holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest in the world, drawing around 30,000 visitors a year on its own.
Topiary is the art of clipping trees and bushes into shapes, and here you’ll find ancient box and yew trees trimmed into all kinds of geometric and abstract forms, rising up from colourful beds of over 30,000 flowers, all grown on the estate.
There’s plenty more to explore too. The herbaceous borders are breathtaking — this is actually home to the first recorded herbaceous border in Britain.
Wander through the vegetable, herb, fountain and rose gardens, or head out to the wildlife meadows and the enchanting willow labyrinth for something a little wilder.
Ghosts and Legends
No visit to Levens Hall would be complete without hearing its ghost stories. The most famous is the Grey Lady, said to be the spirit of a gypsy woman who came to the hall begging for food and shelter.
When she was turned away, she died of starvation — but not before placing a curse on the estate, predicting that no son would inherit Levens Hall until the River Kent stopped flowing and a white fawn was born in the deer park.
The deer at Levens are very dark brown, almost black fallow deer, so a white fawn seemed impossible.
Yet remarkably, both events did occur at the time of the birth of Alan Desmond Bagot — a white fawn was found in the park, and the River Kent froze solid.
The Grey Lady herself has been spotted many times at the hall over the years.
A unique aspect of Levens Hall is its unbroken lineage, which has never changed hands through sales or purchases, except for a fascinating twist in the 17th century.
Picture this: in 1686, Alan Bellingham, facing the risk of losing the estate in a high-stakes gamble, entrusted his affairs to trustees.
The outcome? His Westmorland lands were sold to his cousin, Colonel James Grahme, in a turn of events that would make even the most seasoned storyteller envious.
Fast forward to the present, and Levens Hall remains a beacon of heritage and history.
Restoration Work
In 2021, Levens Hall received a grant from the Heritage Stimulus Fund to carry out important restoration work, helping to protect this remarkable place for future generations.
Who knows what further secrets might be uncovered as work continues?
Levens Hall is more than just a day out — it’s a journey through centuries of history, mystery and beauty, all in one incredible place.
Where to Stay near Levens Hall
If you are looking for a pet-friendly, Grange-over-Sands Holiday Cottage with easy access to Levens Hall, enquire here or ring 07785944194.
How to Book Kents Bank Holiday Cottage
Booking Kents Bank Holiday Cottage takes just minutes. Simply visit our website at kentsbankholiday.co.uk or call us on 07785944194.
Our friendly team answers your questions and helps you find the perfect dates for your Lake District holiday. We make the booking process easy, so you can focus on planning your relaxing getaway.