Holker Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish who welcome visitors of all ages to one of the best-loved stately homes in Britain. Magnificently situated only a short distance from Grange-over-Sands and the expanse of Morecambe Bay, Holker Hall is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into Parkland framed by the Lakeland Hills. Famous for its beautiful gardens and the beauty of its surroundings , Holker is available for discreet events...

In 2008 the Holker Gardens opened throughout all four changing seasons for the very first time. Spring will see thousands of bulbs coming through thanks to the tireless work of the new head Gardener, Yvonne Cannon and her team. A series of seasonal walks are being planned to coincide with the launch of the new Holker Garden Guide which will be on sale in the summer.

The immaculately kept gardens (25 acres in all) are part woodland, part formal and essentially Victorian in character, though never heavy or oppressive. The 200-acre 'natural' parkland is in fact the result of the late 18th century planting of Lord George Cavendish. In the early 19th century several new features were added: an arboretum, a conservatory, balustraded terraces by the House, and a large walled kitchen garden.

Lord and Lady Cavendish have sought not only to conserve the historic but have made changes and additions to the gardens that are still being made today, with great liveliness and confidence: the shelter belt of trees, planted in the last 20 years, gives protection between the Park and gardens.

Not to be missed are the spectacular displays of Rhododendrons in the spring. The magnificent blooms of all hues grace the arbours and cascade with a riot of colour never able to be captured completely on film.

Also not to be omitted from your visit is The Great Holker Lime (above), labelled as one of the finest and largest common limes (Tilia europaea) in Britain. This awe-inspiring tree measures 7.9 metres in girth. It was probably planted as part of a formal garden in the early 17th century. Today its huge trunk stands in a cavern formed by overhanging branches. In 2002 Holker's Great Lime was awarded the distinction of being one of Britain's 50 Great Trees in honour of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

The Food Hall

Holker Food Hall, in its elegant Courtyard setting, is at the heart of 17,000 acres of rural Cumbria encompassing a major proportion of the Cartmel Peninsula. The Estate has a long tradition of farming through the craftsmanship of tenant farmers producing cheese, prime Shorthorn Beef, seasonal Venison and the famous Holker Saltmarsh Lamb. This is local fresh, seasonal food at its very best and wherever possible we try to keep the carbon footprint to the minimum.

At the Food Hall the aim is to take the best produce from the Holker Estate and beyond, to transport your palate on a journey from the shores of Morecambe Bay across valleys, lakes and fells.

The Dining Room