A HERD of fallow deer which has resided on an historic south Cumbrian estate for generations have inspired a new range of products at their country home.
Horacio the Heroic and his fair lady Rosamund the Refined sit atop the family tree of the fallow deer herd at Holker Hall, near Grange-over-Sands.
Their offspring, including Cuthbert the Charming and Alice the Adorable, have grazed the 23 acres of parkland surrounding the 400-year-old home for decades.
Now, members of this four legged family group are behind the inspiration for a new range of Holker Hall gifts and treats.
They include Marmaduke’s Magnificent Marmalade, Lancelot’s Lavish Apricot Preserve and Ponsonby’s Posh Ginger and Pear Preserve.
There are also tins of Sebastian’s Sumptuous Shortbread and Cuthbert’s Charming Chocolate Chip Cookies as well as bags of chocolate raisins cheerfully named Delectable Deer Poo.
Heather Creasey, Holker Hall and Gardens general manager, explained the products had already proven extremely popular with visitors from all over the world.
“We’ve never had a Holker Hall range before and it seemed like a perfect idea to theme our new products around members of the fallow deer herd which graze the parkland,” she said.
“There have been fallow deer here for such a long time, they have become part of the hall’s identity.
“The herd’s family tree is now on display in our Food Hall so everyone can see exactly where in the lineage the name of each product has been taken from.”
Holker Hall is the Grade II-listed ancestral seat of the Cavendish family. It is now home to The Hon Lucy Cavendish and her husband Tor McLaren.
The Holker Hall range was launched last week and features the striking Holker blue livery found throughout the estate.
Local artist Kate Lloyd-Philipps, who works in the Food Hall at Holker, came up with the idea and created the designs.
Heather added: “We all loved Kate’s idea of adopting characters from the fallow deer straight away so it’s wonderful to see the range on the shelves where it’s been attracting a lot of attention.
“We’ve selected products that are of the highest quality, but we hope the branding provides a little bit of fun especially as visitors are free to wander through the parkland to catch a glimpse of the herd itself.”
