September 14, 2018 — Holker Hall and Gardens
Holker Hall in the rain and the sun came out for the gardens in the afternoon
14.09.2018 - 15.09.2018
Driving to Holker Hall on a very rainy day
Woke to pouring rain so ate a very leisurely breakfast. Next discovered Levens Hall where we planned to go today wasn’t open on Friday. Some speedy research led us to Holker Hall and Gardens. We thought the hall would be fine and if the rain let up a bit, we might visit the gardens too.
As soon as there was a break in the rain, we made for the car in rainwear and armed with umbrellas. It was a nice easy drive on the A590 to Cark-in-Cartmel and Holker Hall where we found parking, upped umbrellas and got our tickets. We dripped down to the Hall entrance and entered. To my dismay, photos were not allowed so we have no pictures of the beautifully-kept manor house. Here is the Holker House web site and the photos are accurate and far better than I could have taken, especially given the weather that day. Click here for the Holker Hall official web site
Entrance Kiosk at Holker Hall with the Courtyard in the Background
Entrance to the Courtyard with restaurants and facilities
Holker Hall
Ilex Bar and Brasserie in the Courtyard at Holker Hall
We walked over to the Ilex Bar and Brasserie where a very loud, blowsy woman told us we could not eat there because it was reserved for her group of, very obviously, pensioners. She backed us into the Courtyard Café until fortunately interrupted by a young man who worked there. He interrupted her and said we were very welcome to eat in the Ilex and showed us to a table. Bless his heart! We both ordered the breast of duck and a grenach to drink. We had an apple crumble pie made with estate apples for dessert and it was excellent. The woman's group came in, ate without speaking to her and left, grudgingly taking her with them while we were still enjoying our lovely lunch. They didn't appear too fond of her either.
*****
The Holker Hall Gardens from directly behind the Hall
As we ate, the sun came out so when finished, we made a beeline for the garden and spent a couple hours wandering and taking lots of pictures. Perfect . . . There were even ducks, a hen and rooster and two cute fluffy baby chicks. I encourage you to check the web site above and particularly the section on the Labyrinth. It's very interesting, a bit like a miniature Stonehenge from a distance.
Holker Hall from the Gardens
The Holker Hall Gardens
Holker Hall from the Gardens
Burlington Fountain at the Cascade in Holker Hall Gardens
Picturesque rooster in Holker Hall Gardens
Ducks in Holker Hall Gardens
Holker Hall Gardens
Holker Hall Gardens - an amazing tree with leaves of two colors
Holker Hall Gardens
Headed back to Holker Hall
Entrance to the Gift Shop at Holker Hall
Driving home from Holker Hall in Cumbria
Drove home stopping at Coop for bread and the sun is still shining. I called our host for tomorrow and we’re all set to move to Pickering.
Posted by Beausoleil 15:01 Archived in United Kingdom
By the way, I suspect your two-coloured tree was simply starting to change for autumn if this was mid September - not too early for that 'up north'!
Beautiful old house and lovely gardens.
by irenevt