[K]irklinton Hall & Gardens, Carlisle’s very own 14-acre horticultural gem and northern ‘secret’ garden, is preparing to throw open its doors for a fifth year. On Sunday 1 April from 12pm to 5pm, visitors of all ages are invited to experience a joyous jamboree of all things ‘Kirkers’ – a taste of all the great things to come in 2018.
Discover all the progress the team have made over the winter and hear about plans for 2018 and beyond including garden tours with Head Gardener, Tommy, sample the Hall’s new range of Tinky’s Chocolates, try your hand at an Easter Egg Hunt, let off steam with our Faerie and Dragon Walk or on the bouncy castle and then replenish energy reserves with some, tasty artisan food and a drink from the bar. Make sure to pick up your new Kirklinton Café loyalty card; collect a stamp each time buy a (non-alcholic!) drink and claim a free drink when you’ve got 8 stamps.
However, the undoubted highlight in this year’s Kirklinton events calendar is the return of The Regents Opera Company on Saturday 14 July to perform Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’. This is the fourth year of ‘Opera in the Ruins and Gardens of Kirklinton Hall’ and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever thanks to sponsorship from Kilfrost, Patricia Arnold and Original Marquees, Penrith plus generous support from Barbour.
Director, Nicholas Heath commented: “We are so excited to be returning to Kirklinton Hall again this year. The Barber of Seville is bursting with memorable melodies and is full of colour and laughter. The perfect way to spend a British summer evening!”
Picnics in the garden pre-performance are a must and crowds at the popular Champagne Bar will no doubt be fizzing with anticipation. The performance is in aid of the British Red Cross and all profits from ticket sales will go towards this worthy cause. Tickets cost £69 and can be bought in person on Opening Day or alternatively online at www.kirklintonhall.co.uk
Rescued from dereliction by owners Christopher and Ilona Boyle in 2012, Kirklinton Hall & Gardens is a Grade II listed ruin and gardens, just six miles north east of the historic, border city of Carlisle, being brought back to life in the true 17th Century spirit of ‘dulce et utile’.
It is the public and personal crusade of Environmental QC, Christopher. A passionate gardener and ‘slow food’ aficionado, Christopher’s vision for the site is to reinstate the productive and ornamental gardens that graced the hall from its origins in the 1680s, right up until 80 years ago.
Owner, Christopher Boyle commented: “I like to think of Kirklinton Hall as a family antidote to screen time. Somewhere to come and enjoy the simple pleasures of a woodland walk with the family, take in some fresh air and enjoy unfettered family time – something that is surprising hard to do nowadays.”
Tickets for the Opening Day cost £4 for adults and £1for under 16s. Season ticket holders, Historic Houses and MyCumbria card holders go free. Kirklinton Hall is open from 1 April until 30 September from 12pm – 5pm Monday to Friday and Sunday. For more information visit www.kirklintonhall.co.uk, call 016977 48850, or email info@kirklintonhall.co.uk.
