Holker Hall & Gardens

Holker Hall & Gardens is the much-loved home of the Cavendish family, and has been in the family since it was built in the early 1600’s. The new wing was re-built in the 1870’s following a fire, and is now open to visitors.

The Hall

Dating back to the early 1600s, Holker Hall has been home to the Preston, Lowther and Cavendish families. The estate has passed by inheritance through the family line with each generation leaving impressions by either altering the landscape or by changing the house by adding, re-facing, embellishing or even rebuilding, as happened to the New Wing after the disastrous fire of March 1871. The finished New Wing, now open to the public, is a wonderful example of the magnificent neo-Elizabethan Gothic Style, yet at the same time is a very personal creation with all the space and charm of a Victorian stately home. There are no ropes or barriers in the Hall, allowing visitors to wander round at their leisure.

The Gardens

The dramatic formal gardens welcome you with displays of colour and interest throughout the year. From there, winding paths take you through the collection of rare and exotic plants and trees that thrive in the extraordinary micro-climate of the Cartmel Peninsula. Highlights along the way are the Cascade and Burlington Fountain, the Sunken Garden, Pagen Grove, and the 400 year old veteran Lime tree, the Holker Great Lime, voted one of Britain’s grandest trees with its girth at over 8 metres. Holker is home to the National Collection of Styracaceae, seen flowering through early summer.

There is a Cafe, Gift Shop and Farm Shop on site, as well as a children’s playground and Imagination Garden.