The Lake District is home to some beautiful attractions that appeal to all types of visitors. Whilst many tourists visit for the beautiful backdrops and walks, numerous also visit for the adventurous water sports and historical attractions, which Cumbria offers plentiful.
Following on in our series of “Great Attractions of the Lake District”, we will be showcasing a favourable heritage site amongst local schools and families alike, Levens Hall. Not far from our luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District, this location is beautiful for a leisurely afternoon tea, a curious dive into the local history or an amble around the gardens and surrounding woodlands.
This beautiful manor house dates back to as early as the 13th century, and records show that the house was built around a Pele Tower by the de Redman family, who then sold it in the 16th century to the Bellingham family. Over the years, each family has made its mark with extensions and remodels. The house was even lost as part of a game of cards in 1688 to Colonel James Grahme. Still privately owned by the Bagot family, this house has been maintained and is open to the public with reports of being haunted by the Grey Lady. The architecture of this stunning Elizabethan house has been well-maintained, with very few changes made since the 19th century.
Situated on the River Kent, Levens Hall boasts three-quarters of a mile of some of the most scenic fishing imaginable. The deer park is open all year round and offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Filled with wildlife, the park provides all the tranquillity and peace to escape from busy day-to-day life. The perfect afternoon whilst staying at our dog-friendly cottages near the Lake District as your four-legged friends are welcome throughout the deer park, Levens Kitchen Terrace and the Howard Room.
The land features a stunning topiary garden, which is the oldest in the world. Designed by Guillaume Beaumont, the gardener to King James II at Hampton Court Palace, the gardens still showcase the horticulturist's eye for details and colour. The garden stretches over 10 acres and is home to over 30,000 bedding plants which are beautifully tended to all years round. Each of the shrubs and trees is shaped with intricate care and offers various shapes and silhouettes.
With regular tended to herbaceous borders, a well-maintained vegetable garden, the beech circle and a charming water feature, this garden is a perfect place for relaxation and scenic views.
When visiting Levens Hall, you can take an audio guide which will take you on a journey through all the pleasures found at Levens Hall and explains all the work it takes to maintain the gardens and hall. In addition, many guided tours take place throughout its opening hours, offering the chance to ask questions and get to know an in-depth history of the estate.
This manor is the largest Elizabethan house in Cumbria and hosts the oldest English patchwork in existence, dating back to 1708 and crafted by the wife of Colonel James Grahme. The hall has strong connections to the Duke of Wellington, and many artefacts are on show from the Duke and his adversary, Napoleon. A bowling green is also said to have been used by Sir Francis Drake as the Spanish Armada appeared on the horizon.
Opened in 2019, Levens kitchen offers a seasonally inspired menu for any of its visitors and has won many awards, including the Great Place to Eat in the UK Heritage Awards 2020. All the food is locally sourced and of the highest quality. There is no need to book a table whilst visiting Levens Hall, which is open 10 am-4 pm seven days a week.
Suppose you happen to be accompanied by younger ones. In that case, smaller dishes are available and plenty of facilities for them, including high chairs, books and activities to keep them occupied as you enjoy the delicious meals. Alternatively, there is a whole menu dedicated for you to take away with you, ideal if you are staying in one of our Lake District self-catering holiday cottages in the UK.
As Levens Hall is situated in South Cumbria, you could venture into the nearby village with any spare time after your day. Milnthorpe is a large market village on the cusp of the tame River Bela and only a five-minute drive from Levens Hall. Offering a small selection of public houses, essential shops and one supermarket, you could easily finish your evening with a meal at the popular Cross Keys, or if you fancy a slight detour, the nearby town of Kendal is within a 20-minute drive. It offers a wider variety of restaurants and pubs with additionally as beautiful backdrops.
The most prominent feature of this local area is the open space and walking routes which are both little and four-legged friendly. So, whether you are staying as a group, family or alone, we have 5 star cottages across the Lake District to suit all needs. You can check their availability online and book your next break in a matter of minutes.
The Lake District has so much to offer tourists and visitors alike, from beautiful scenery to high-end restaurants. Whether you’re a family, on a romantic getaway or looking to explore the countryside, you will never fall short of activities with a trip to the Lakes.
We love showcasing all there is to do in the areas surrounding our luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District. In this series, we will be featuring some of the incredible attractions that bring visitors from far and wide to the Lake District, starting with the iconic Wordsworth House and Gardens.
Whilst many may remember the great English Poet from their studies at school, people often forget that William Wordsworth was born and raised in the Lake District. His home, from childhood, can be visited in Cockermouth, whilst his adult dwellings can be found in Grasmere and Ambleside.
Most well-known for his beautiful poem, Daffodils, William and fellow author Samuel Taylor Coleridge encouraged the beginning of the romantic era of English Literature with their publication Lyrical Ballads. This collaboration of poetry is still studied and setting the standard in modern literature.
Only a stone's throw away from our dog friendly cottages in the Lake District, Wordsworth's birthplace is situated against the backdrop of the picturesque town of Cockermouth, Cumbria. The house was home to Wordsworth and his family from 1765 until 1783. Wordsworth and his siblings suffered the tragic loss of their parents, their mother in 1778 and their father in 1783, which led them to leave the family home. Many other families lived there before it was finally bought and donated to the National Trust, which maintains and cares for it as part of England’s heritage. It is now established as a Grade I listed building and has been transformed into a museum and testament to the life of the romantic poet.
Inside, the home has been recreated to replicate how historians believe the house would have looked back in the late 1700s, complete with real food on the table, bedrooms with toys from the period, and in the cellar, ghosts are waiting to tell their stories. The gardens are filled with vegetables you would expect from the 18th Century, and entry to the house is free for any member of the National Trust.
Volunteers are on hand to answer any questions and show you around the historic home of William Wordsworth. There are tours and talks throughout the week and many activities for youngsters in the garden. During the school holidays on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you will find costumed housemaids hard at work.
If you find yourself intrigued by the life of William Wordsworth after a visit to the Wordsworth House and Gardens, you may consider visiting other attractions which have connections to the English poet.
Dove Cottage in Grasmere is where Wordsworth wrote most of his famous poetry during his eight-year residence with his sister Dorothy, including the famous Daffodils. This home is now also a Grade I Listed building and houses a museum, maintained to resemble the cottage as it would have been when Wordsworth and his family lived there.
Another fitting visit to further explore in Grasmere are the Daffodil gardens. Created by a group of volunteers in 2003, this testament to the writer features thousands of yellow daffodils and is best visited from late March to April when the flowers are in full bloom. It is also the location of the poet's modest grave, which overlooks the countryside he so dearly loved.
Finally, the last attraction to visit is Rydal Mount and Gardens, yet another beautiful home of the great William Wordsworth. Unlike the other properties, this historical building remains a lived-in family home. However, the impressive 4-acre gardens are precisely how Wordsworth designed them with his love of landscaping, filled with daffodils, bluebells and rhododendrons. It is undoubtedly worth the visit.
Our group accommodation in the Lake District, such as Helm Mount Lodge, is a one hour drive from Wordsworth House in Cockermouth and a 40-minute drive to Dove Cottage, making it an ideal place to stay if you are looking for the Wordsworth attractions for a group.
Of course, when taking the day to visit Cockermouth, you may find yourself looking for somewhere to eat. Luckily the local area is surrounded by great restaurants and cafés for smaller bites.
On your journey, you will pass by the beautiful town of Kendal, which is home to a great range of cafés and restaurants such as Romney’s, home to a delicious four meat carvery at weekends. Alternatively, in Cockermouth, the Castle Bar offers vegetarian and vegan dishes and is recommended as a pub catering to all tastes of high-quality food.
In Grasmere, you could continue the Wordsworth theme with a visit to The Wordsworth Signature Restaurant. They offer a selection of beautiful meals for most dietary requirements and a wide variety of classic dishes.
With beautiful holiday cottages across the Lake District, we offer a getaway for everyone. From romantic cottages in the Lake District with a hot tub to secluded hideaways with great walking routes nearby, we have accommodation to suit every need. You can book our cottages through our website, or feel free to contact us direct.
