More than 100 topiary figures, an Elizabethan manor house and marked public footpaths shape the ways to explore Levens. Levens Hall & Gardens showcases garden and architectural history; paths, local routes and seasonal cuisine offer other highlights. This lets you decide whether to focus your stay on historic sites, outdoor walks or regional food culture.
Manor House, Garden and Ha-ha
Levens Hall grew out of a Pele Tower believed to date from the 13th century. Today, it is the largest Elizabethan manor house in the county. These two aspects give the house a distinctive historical context: its origins probably date back to the Middle Ages, while its present-day significance is also linked to Elizabethan architecture.
The Topiary Garden at Levens Hall was laid out in 1694, after Colonel James Grahme commissioned Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont to design it. It is considered the world’s oldest topiary garden and holds a Guinness World Record for this distinction. More than 100 topiary figures can be seen there. The ha-ha at Levens Hall is also among the earliest known examples in the country. A ha-ha is a ditch incorporated into the landscape that marks a boundary without blocking the view like a high wall.
Outdoor Visits
For the 2026 season, the schedule provides for Levens Hall & Gardens to be open seven days a week from 27 March to 8 November. Check the dates before you travel. Separate from this, the public footpaths through the privately owned Levens Deer Park are marked and open year-round. Follow the local notices.
The Deer Park is home to a herd of black fallow deer and a herd of rare Bagot goats; sightings of the animals are not guaranteed. Those interested in routes will also find a clear distinction between walking and cycling routes: Levens Hall is on the Cumbrian Coastal Way footpath, while the 248.5-mile Walney to Wear and Whitby cycle route passes through Levens.
Routes and Regional Cuisine
Other route recommendations vary in both length and difficulty rating. A 6.7-mile route leads from Levens via Hincaster to Sedgwick and is considered suitable for beginners. The route to Witherslack runs via Crosthwaite and Brigsteer, is 16.7 miles long and is rated moderate. This makes the second recommendation ten miles longer and more challenging. As route conditions can change, check them before setting out.
The cuisine also offers a seasonal highlight: Levens Kitchen serves a seasonally inspired menu featuring locally sourced produce from the Levens estate and the gardens at Levens Hall. Morocco Ale is a strong ale whose recipe was created at Levens Hall in the 17th century. It is available at Levens Kitchen and the Potting Shed Gift Shop; check current availability before your visit.
Local History and Worship
The area’s history extends beyond the era of the manor house: traces of settlement from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romano-British period and Viking Age have been found in Levens. If you are planning a visit to St John’s, a service is held there every Sunday at 9:45 a.m. Check the time before your visit.
Discover more destinations: High Harrington, Gleaston, Farlam, Roose, Watermillock, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Waterhead.
For the main travel overview: Cumbria.
