Summer at Levens: 330 Years of Garden History

Jane Hunt homes in on the delights of a formal English garden in the summer months, by talking to the head gardener of Levens Hall and Gardens, in the Lake District, Cumbria. This amazing garden was first established by the French gardener, Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, in 1694 but has been under the care of current head gardener, Chris Crowder, for the past 38 years. Whilst best known for its topiary garden the oldest in the world which does come into the conversation, the Levens Hall garden has so much more to offer. Jane explores the various parts of the garden, with Chris's help, focusing on the general delights that a visitor can enjoy, if they visit during the months of June, July and August. She also quizzes Chris about some specific plants and shrubs that might be seen and some more unusual features that you wont find anywhere else. The podcast highlights why lovers of gardens and gardening, no matter where they live in the world, should make a beeline for this incredible garden, not just to tick a sighting of the worlds oldest topiary garden off their bucket list. It also discusses some particular attractions and events for summer 2024 and what to look forward to in the first week of September. With Chris Crowder being the 11th head gardener at Levens Hall and gardens (eleven being not that many since 1694), Jane takes the listener through a little bit of work that she did last year, as part of her PR work for Levens Hall and Gardens focusing on all 11 of the men who have shaped the garden during its long history. From 1694 to the current day, she explains what we know of these men and how they shaped the gardens of today.