Secrets of Holker Hall’s glorious gardens revealed in special tour
VISITORS to one of Cumbria’s most majestic stately homes learned the secrets of its gardens when they were treated to an intimate tour.
Members of the public who snapped up a ticket for the springtime tour and tea with the head gardener got a guided tour of the hall’s famous gardens by Glyn Sherratt.
Glyn, who is responsible for nurturing and caring for the rolling expanses of the centuries-old estate gave a commentary on the shrubs, blossoms, trees and flowers.
And at the end of the tour, guests were treated to some delicious treats at the courtyard cafe. It was the first in a series of special tours being led by the hall’s head gardener.
Glyn said: “The gardens have such a rich and colourful history, and it is a pleasure to be able to share some of that while reflecting on their appearance in the present day.
“They are a shifting picture of beauty throughout the year and every day tells a different story. So many members of the Cavendish family and their ancestors have made their mark on the gardens over the decades and centuries and it is both a pleasure and a privilege to be the person entrusted with their care.”
Guided tours with Glyn are only held very occasionally, with the next scheduled for July 26 and the final opportunity of the year on October 19. Each is carefully selected to ensure the season of the moment is in full swing.
Horticulturalists who missed out need not despair, for members of the gardening team give regular short talks every day the hall and gardens are open. Details of each day’s schedule are given to visitors when they arrive.
For people who wish to wander about the gardens at their leisure, the hall is hosting a spring fair over the bank holiday weekend.
It is set to offer something different every day – beginning with a bustling spring market on Saturday followed by the Holker barbecue feast from 5pm. Visitors should be aware that in a departure from the norm, the hall is only until 1pm, with the gardens open until 3pm.
Sunday, May 5 will offer a further opportunity to browse the stalls in The Courtyard and Piazza with visitors also having the chance to visit the 400-year-old hall and its award-winning gardens with bank holiday Monday, May 6 boasting a vintage-style singer to add to the relaxed atmosphere of the day.
Earlier this year, it was revealed one of the gardens’ most popular features, the Neptune Cascade, had been painstakingly restored to its former glory.
Ageing pointing and leaks meant the structure had been reduced to a trickle for a number of years.
But it is now enthralling thousands of visitors with water once again meandering gracefully down through the award-winning grounds of the stately home.
Details of all events at Holker Hall and Gardens are available at Holker.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
A selection of images is attached to this release.
Holker Hall and Gardens is the privately owned Grade II-listed stately home of the Cavendish family.
It is located within 25 acres of award-winning gardens, estate and parkland on the Cartmel Peninsula, near Grange-over-Sands.
The property, which is the home of The Hon Lucy Cavendish and her husband Tor McLaren, is opened to the public every year and runs a programme of events and activities for visitors.
This press release is sent out on behalf of Holker Hall and Gardens by 32West. For more information please contact James Higgins on 01229 808 306.