The Gardens of South Lakeland
A recent study found that spending just a few minutes each day in a green space has the potential to reduce stress and increase life expectancy amongst town and city dwellers. The Lake District probably has more green space than just about any other region of England, and to enhance the natural beauty, it also has a number of superb gardens for you to enjoy. We've highlighted five of the best for you to enjoy.
Rydal Mount
Photographs copyright Alex Black, courtesy of Rydal Mount
William Wordsworth was a keen gardener and developed the gardens at Rydal Mount throughout the latter part of his life. Nowadays head Gardener Helen Green is charged with maintaining the gardens in the style of Wordsworth, using the plants he would have planted and the techniques he would have used. The result is a stunning garden that reflects the horticultural diversity of the Lakeland Landscape. For more information about Rydal Mount, click here ....
Holker Hall
Holker is the home of the Cavendish family and the extensive gardens are a joy to behold, particularly in the late spring and early summer. Highlight of the season is the Holker Garden Festival, one of the earliest of the major gardening events of the North of England. The festival celebrates not only the best of gardens, but also the countryside and locally produced food. In 2010 there will be a special guest appearance by Gardening World expert Carol Klein. For more information about Holker and it's garden festival check out the Holker Hall web site here ...
Levens Hall
Levens Hall started life as a medieval pele tower and has gradually developed into a wonderful stately home. The main feature of the gardens is the topiary garden, one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe. It was laid out in the latter part of the 17th century and in many parts retains it's original design. But there is more to the gardens at Levens than the topiary. Check out the Levens Hall website here for details of the other delights on offer.
Sizergh Castle
Sizergh Castle has been the home of the Strickland family since before the English Civil War. The gardens are not extensive, but what they lack in size they more than make up for in interest. A kitchen garden featuring many rare varieties of fruit and vegetables, stunning herbaceous border and a limestone garden are amongst the prize exhibits. Sizergh is now run by the National Trust. For more information, see their website here ....
Holehird
Photographs copyright Lakeland Horticultural Society
Situated on the fellside above Windermere, with stunning views of the Lakeland Fells, Holehird has been rightly described as a "paradise within a paradise". Ten acres of hillside gardens lovingly tended to by volunteers of the Lakeland Horticultural society, the garden includes specimen trees and shrubs, extensive rock and heather gardens, a walled garden, alpine houses and herbaceous borders. For more information about this stunning Lakeland garden, check out the Holehird web site here ...
Lots to see ... Lots to do
What's on in the Lakes this Autumn
A round up of events both traditional and modern
A look at some of the regions finest gardens
A look at the region's railway heritage