Robson Green and Helen Skelton have highlighted one of Cumbria’s jewels in its crown in a TV show this week.
Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes visits Levens Hall and Gardens, in South Cumbria and the TV duo are given the opportunity to explore the venue.
As well as the world’s oldest topiary garden, the pair relax on a bench in the Fountain Garden, created to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Levens Hall gardens, back in 1994.
The gardens also has the earliest example of a ha-ha in England. Ha-has became popular at the start of the 18th century, which enabled an uninterrupted view of the landscape, by removing physical barriers between farm animals and gardens and replacing them with a sunken ditch.
The gardens are also home to an orchard, nuttery, herb garden, glorious herbaceous borders that come into their own in summer, a children’s playground and the Beech Circle.
The latter is bordered by the gigantic, 300-year-old beech hedge.
Levens Hall and Gardens also recently featured on the TV programme Monty Don’s British Gardens.
Owner Richard Bagot says, “Having exposure in so many places is wonderful for Levens Hall and Gardens but also great news for the South Lakes economy and for Cumbria’s tourism sector in general.
“Visitors do not just react and visit us, but spend money with other local businesses, whether they are accommodation providers, food suppliers or other retailers.
“We have put enormous effort behind our marketing and it is all paying off fantastically, generating benefits for the local economy in both the South Lakes and northern Lancashire.”
Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes was broadcast yesterday, Monday February 24, at 6.30pm and is now available on the iPlayer.
