Levens Hall - Cumbria

While we are very fond of exotic places where good wheather is virtually guaranteed, this year we desided to spend our vacation closer to home - a week in the Lake District and a week in Cornwall.

In the Lake District, the weathther was mostly miserrable so instead of hiking in the fels we used the bad wather as an opportunity to visit some gardens.

Levens hall is by far the best of them (there is some family debate about this, with Sizergh castle coming close second - but it is my blog after all).

Levens hall garden dates from 1694, and some of the larger topiary structure are over 300 years old, mostly yew. (a few of them sport round benches underneath, and are very effective when it rains).

The structure of the garden remains unchanged through the seasons, the enclosed areas between the structures are planted with anuals, providing seasonal interest.
There are other interesting areas in the garden including a perennial border, a kitchen garden and orchard all enclosed by hedges, and featuring topiary and formal elements, but it's the topiary garden which is the most impresive. A true inspiration.