Historic Houses and Castles.
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1. Leighton Hall (Historic Seat
of the Gillow Family)
This is situated near Silverdale with breathtaking views of the Lakeland
hills. The families’ Gillow ancestry means there are many unusual
Gillow pieces of furniture in the house. Outside the hall within the gardens,
are woodland walks and a 19th Century garden. In the Avery Garden is Leighton
Hall’s unique collection of Birds of Prey, which are flown each
afternoon (weather permitting).
Journey: 30 minutes by car.
Open: Daily May to September 2.00pm to 5.00pm excluding Saturdays &
Mondays other than Bank Holidays (August only 12.30am to 5.00pm)
Guide price: Adult £5.00, Child £3.50, and Family (2+3) £15.00
Tel: 01524 734474
2. Holker Hall (Home of Lord
and Lady Cavendish; dates from 1871)
Splendidly set at the south of the Lake District near Grange-over-Sands,
just a mile away from the shores of Morecambe Bay, the house contains
many outstanding examples of European furniture, painting, sculptures,
and carvings. Priceless carpets and tapestries and elegant fireplaces
and ornate ceilings adorn the rooms. Idyllic gardens and deer parks are
complimented by one of the most fascinating collections of motoring memorabilia
including the Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition.
Journey Time: 45 minutes by car.
Open: April to end October everyday except Saturdays
Hall: 10.30am to 4.30pm
Gardens: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Lakeland Motor Museum: 10.30am to 4.45pm
Guide Price: Adult £8.75, Child £5.00 for Hall, Garden and
Motor Museum.
Tel: 015395 58328
3. Brantwood (John Ruskin’s
home 1872-1900)
Brantwood is one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District.
It enjoys the finest views over Coniston Lake towards the mountains with
the Old Man of Coniston dominating the skyline. The home of John Ruskin,
the house became an intellectual powerhouse and one of the greatest literary
and artistic centres in Europe. The house is filled with Ruskin’s
drawings and watercolours together with much of his original furniture,
books and personal items. Brantwood has 250 acres of woodland gardens,
lakeshore meadows and morland hilltops. A well marked nature trail winds
and twists through the estate. Try the home baked cakes and meals at Jumping
Jenny’s with stunning views from the terrace.
Journey Time: 1 hour 15 minutes by car.
Open: mid March to mid November 11.00am to 5.30pm. Winter: Wednesday –
Sunday 11.00am to 4.30pm.
Guide Price: Adult £4.75, Child, £1.00, Family (2+3) £10.00
Tel: 015394 41396
4. Harewood House (Lord Harewood’s
mother HRH Princess Royal lived at Harewood until her death in 1965)
Located between Harrogate and Leeds on the A61. A stunning house with
magnificent interiors by Robert Adams and Staterooms lavishly furnished
by Chippendale. Harewood is one of the great Treasure Houses of Britain.
Glorious gardens with the restored Victorian Terrace, Lake and sparkling
fountains. The Bird Garden works closely with UK and overseas collections
in captive breeding some of the world’s rarest creatures. See these
beautiful birds including penguins, flamingos, owls and parrots in their
lovely lakeside setting. Also includes an Adventure Playground.
Journey Time: 1 hour 20 minutes by car
Open: March to end October
House: 11.00am to 4.30pm
Grounds/Adventure Playground: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Terrace Gallery: 11.00am to 5.00pm
Victorian Kitchen: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Guide Price: Adult £9.50, Child £5.25, and Family £29.00.
Other options available.
Tel: 0113 218 1010
5. Sizergh Castle (National
Trust)
The Strictlands family have lived in Sizergh Castle for more than 750
years and it remains their home today. Set in beautifully landscaped gardens
near Kendal on the A6, Sizergh was extended in Tudor times. This romantic
fortified mansion contains some of the finest Elizabethan carved ornaments
in the country as well as a collection of good English and French furniture
and family portraits. The large gardens surrounding the castle include
the National Trust’s largest limestone rock garden including part
of the National Collection of Hardy Ferns. Enchanting rose, wildflower
and water gardens also add to the charm of this elegant estate. A variety
of walks are available
Journey Time: 30 minutes by car
Open: Sunday to Thursday 1st April to 31st October 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Guide Price: Adult £5.00, Child £2.50, and Family £12.50
Tel: 015395 60070
6. Levens Hall & Gardens
Levens Hall and the unique Topiary Gardens are only 5 minutes from the
M6 (Exit 36) and 5 miles south of Kendal on the A6. The Hall is an Elizabethan
mansion built around a 13th Century Pele tower. The home of the Bagot
family, the mansion includes fine panelling and plasterwork, period furniture,
Cordova leather wall coverings, paintings by Rubins, Lely and Cuyp, the
earliest English patchwork and other beautiful objects to form a fascinating
collection. The Gardens created by M. Beaumont date from 1694 and its
design remains largely unchanged to this day. Over 90 individual pieces
of topiary, together with spring and summer bedding, create a magnificent
visual impact. A new fountain garden was created in 1994 and in the same
year Levens Gardens were awarded the prestigious HHA/Christies Garden
of the Year Award.
Journey Time: 30 minutes by car
Open: April to end October
Garden & TeaRoom: 10.00am to 5.00pm
House: 12.00pm to 4.30pm
Guide Price: Adult £7.00, Child £3.50, and Family (2+3) £15.00
Tel: 015396 60321
7. Lancaster Castle
Lancaster Castle has dominated the town for almost 1000 years ever since
it was first established in 1093. The Lancashire Witches were tried, convicted
and condemned to die here. The castle includes:
• The beautiful Gillow furniture in the Grand Jury Room where Queen
Victoria dined.
• The dungeons and “Drop Room” from where thousands
of convicts where transported to Australia.
• Hanging Corner where hundreds of condemned prisoners where publicly
hanged
• The magnificent Shire Hall with its display heraldic shields spanning
800 years of British history.
Journey Time: 20 minutes by car.
Open Daily: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Guided Tours by qualified historians and professional guides at 30 mins
intervals from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm inclusive. Tour duration 45 minutes.
Guide Price: Adult £4.00, Child £2.50, and Family (2+2) £11
Tel: 01524 64998
8. Skipton Castle
Skipton is one of the best-preserved and most complete medieval castles
in England, despite enduring a 3-year siege in the Civil War.
Journey Time: 50 minutes by car.
Open Daily: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm (Sunday 12 noon)
Guide Price: Adult £4.80 with illustrated tour sheet, Under 18s
£2.40, Family (2=3) £13.50
Tel: 01756-792442
Copyright Easter Cottage 2003