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Levens Hall, Levens
Levens Hall
civil parish:-   Levens (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   buildings
locality type:-   garden
locality type:-   topiary garden
coordinates:-   SD49538510
1Km square:-   SD4985
10Km square:-   SD48

photograph
CAZ72.jpg  North front.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
BJU85.jpg (taken 12.9.2005)  
evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 42 7) 
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.
OS County Series (Wmd 42 11) 
evidence:-   old map:- Jansson 1646
placename:-  Levens Bridge
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Cumbria and Westmoria, ie Cumberland and Westmorland, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Jansson, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1646.
image
JAN3SD48.jpg
"Levens bridge"
Buildings and tower. 
item:-  JandMN : 88
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   hearth tax returns:- Hearth Tax 1675
placename:-  Upper Levens
source data:-   Records, hearth tax survey returns, Westmorland, 1674/75.
"Upper Levens"
in  "Levens"
evidence:-   old map:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) 
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770.
image
J5SD48SE.jpg
"Levens Hall / Earl of Suffolk"
house and formal garden 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland
evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P026, button  goto source
Page 26, footnote:-  "... From Lancaster to Burton ... to Levens (an ancient seat of the late Earl of Suffolk, where a curious specimen of the old style of gardening may be seen, laid out by the gardener of King James II.) ..."
image WS21P215, button  goto source
Addendum; Mr Gray's Journal, 1769 
Page 215:-  "..."
"After dinner I went along the Millthorp turnpike, ... at Levens, is the seat of Lord Suffolk, where he sometimes passes the summer; it was a favourite place of his late Countess; but this I did not see."
evidence:-   old map:- West 1784 map
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784.
image
Ws02SD48.jpg
Across the road from the park. 
item:-  Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
placename:-  Levens
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P153, button  goto source
Page 153:-  "..."
"At Levens, the seat of the Redmans from John till Henry VII. ... the park well stocked with fallow deer and almost equally divided by the river ..."
evidence:-   old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) 
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805.
image
CY24SD48.jpg
"Levens Hall"
house symbol; large house 
item:-  JandMN : 129
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   road book:- Cary 1798 (2nd edn 1802) 
placename:-  Leven's Hall
source data:-   Road book, itineraries, Cary's New Itinerary, by John Cary, 181 Strand, London, 2nd edn 1802.
image CY38p315, button  goto source
image  click to enlarge
C38315.jpg
page 315-316  "A Mile beyond Heversham, on l. is Leven's Hall, Viscountess Andover."
item:-  JandMN : 228.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
placename:-  Levens
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.
image
OT02SD48.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P098, button  goto source
Page 98:-  "... the road crosses the Kent near the ancient mansion of the Howards at Levens; ..."
evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  garden
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P018, button  goto source
Page 18:-  "..."
"LEVENS HALL,"
"The beautiful seat of the Honourable Fulke Greville Howard, stands 'amidst its tall ancestral trees,' on the east side of the river Kent. The hall is a venerable mansion, deeply embosomed in wood. The interior possesses an endless variety of excellent carved work, the oak wainscoatings being enriched with figures, emblematical devices, and ornaments, which are profusely lavished on every part. The gardens were laid out in the old Dutch style, by Mr. Beaumont, gardener to James II, and they are still kept up in the same imposing style of heavy magnificence. The river enters the grounds by a cascade of foaming whiteness, and pursues its way amid lawns, sweetly diversified with trees, whilst herds of deer"
"'-- across their green-sward bound,
Through shade and sunny gleam;
And the swan glides past them, with the sound
Of Kent's rejoicing stream.'"
"As an object for the attention of the antiquary, or the lovers of the picturesque, this hall is unrivalled in this part of the country. Levens chapel, a new"
image FD01P153, button  goto source
Page 153:-  "..."
"... A beautiful foot-path through Levens-Park leads along the wooded banks of the Kent to Kendal, 5½miles. Levens-Park, the seat of the Hon. Fulke G. Howard, is the admiration of every one."
evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s.
image
GAR2SD48.jpg
"Levens Hall"
block, building 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  coat of arms, royal; coat of arms; antlers; chair; chest; press cupboard (?)
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, the Hall, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0129.jpg
Vol.2 no.129 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "129. Levens Hall. The Hall. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.23
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  fireplace; chimneypiece
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, Oak Chimneypiece, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0132.jpg
Vol.2 no.132 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "132. Levens Hall. Oak Chimney-piece. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.26
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  fireplace; chineypiece; mirror; chair; longcase clock; panelling
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, the Inner Drawing Room, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0131.jpg
Vol.2 no.131 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "131. Levens Hall. The Inner Drawing Room. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.25
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  fireplace; overmantel; coat of arms; panelling; fireback
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, the Drawing Room, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0130.jpg
Vol.2 no.130 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "130. Levens Hall. The Drawing Room. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.24
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1907.
image  click to enlarge
HB0121.jpg
Vol.2 no.121 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "121. Levens Hall. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.15
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0124.jpg
Vol.2 no.124 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "124. Levens Hall. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.18
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  steps
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall, Entrance, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1900.
image  click to enlarge
HB0123.jpg
Vol.2 no.123 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "123. Levens Hall. Entrance. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.17
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Photograph, Levens Hall from the North East, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1907.
image  click to enlarge
HB0122.jpg
Vol.2 no.122 in an album, Examples of Early Domestic and Military Architecture in Westmorland, assembled 1910. 
ms at bottom:-  "122. Levens Hall from the North East. Heversham. K."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1958.3166.16
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Levens Hall, entrance, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0648.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS311
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  fireplace; chimney piece; coat of arms; fire back
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Levens Hall, fireplace with chimney piece, Levens, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0649.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS312
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Taylor 1892
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Print, Levens Hall, Levens, drawn by G F Weston, Westmorland, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, and by Charles Thurnam and Sons, Carlisle, Cumberland, 1892.
image  click to enlarge
TY5036.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.199 of The Old Manorial Halls of Cumberland and Westmorland, by Michael Waistell Taylor. 
item:-  Armitt Library : A785.36
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Taylor 1892
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Print, plan of Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, and by Charles Thurnam and Sons, Carlisle, Cumberland, 1892.
image  click to enlarge
TY5037.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.200 of The Old Manorial Halls of Cumberland and Westmorland, by Michael Waistell Taylor. 
item:-  Armitt Library : A785.37
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Bradley 1901
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Print, uncoloured lithograph, Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, by Joseph Pennell, published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1901.
image  click to enlarge
BRL184.jpg
On page 318 of Highways and Byways in the Lake District, by A G Bradley. 
printed at lower left:-  "AG"
printed at lower centre:-  "Joseph Pennell"
printed at bottom:-  "Levens Hall"
item:-  JandMN : 464.84
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   site plan:- Curwen 1913
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  garden
source data:-   Site plan, lithograph, Plan of Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 390, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1913.
image  click to enlarge
CW0157.jpg
On p.295 of The Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, by John F Curwen. 
printed at bottom:-  "PLAN OF LEVENS HALL"
printed at lower right:-  "John F. Curwen F R I B A"
item:-  Armitt Library : A782.57
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   old print:- Curwen 1913
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-   Print, halftone photograph, Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, published for the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society by Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1913.
image  click to enlarge
CW0158.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.296 of The Castles and Fortified Towers of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, by John F Curwen. 
printed at bottom:-  "LEVENS HALL."
item:-  Armitt Library : A782.58
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   site plan:- Historical Monuments 1936
placename:-  Levens Hall
item:-  
source data:-   Site plan, uncoloured lithograph, Levens Hall, Levens, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 340, published by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, London, 1936.
image  click to enlarge
HMW094.jpg
On p.152 of the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland. 
printed, lower right  "LEVENS HALL"
RCHME no. Wmd, Levens 1 
item:-  Armitt Library : A745.94
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   site plan:- Historical Monuments 1936
item:-  
source data:-   Site plan, uncoloured lithograph, Levens Hall Plan Showing the Layout of the Gardens, Levens, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 1600, about 9.5 inches to 1 mile, published by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, London, 1936.
image  click to enlarge
HMW095.jpg
On p.154 of the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland. 
printed, lower right  "LEVENS HALL / PLAN SHOWING THE LAYOUT OF THE GARDENS"
RCHME no. Wmd, Levens 1 
item:-  Armitt Library : A745.95
Image © see bottom of page
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"LEVENS HALL WITH OLD STABLES AND OUTBUILDINGS AND FLANKING WALLS AT MAIN ENTRANCE TO LEVEN'S HALL FROM A6 / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75544 / SD4959685190"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Gate piers and attached walls. Probably early Cl9.Stone. Rusticated sandstone piers, square in plan, with moulded plinths and heavily overhanging corniced tops surmounted by limestone pine cones in acanthus cups. Flanked by curving rubble walls."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Levens Hall
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"LEVENS HALL WITH OLD STABLES AND ENTRANCE GATE PIERS / / / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / I / 75547 / SD4953285091"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"House and attached service wings forming courtyard to rear. Mainly C16 for the Bellingham family with earlier (probably C14) core. Extensively remodelled in late C17 for Colonel James Graham (his initials and dates in 1690s on lead rainwater heads) some later alterations and additions for Mary Andover (her initials and dates in the 1780s on rainwater heads); early C19 tower added to rear, attributed to Webster of Kendal. Limestone rubble walls, part rendered, with sandstone dressings; graduated greenslate roof with stone and lead ridges, stone copings and kneelers and massive chimneys, earlier ones with tapered cylindrical stacks. 2 storeys plus basements and attics. Hall has cross-wings and later additions to North and South. 4 bays: irregular: 3rd from left battlemented tower, rest gabled. Stone mullioned-and-transomed windows, mostly under hoodmoulds, decorative leaded glazing of various dates and styles. Recessed central door in eared surround approached by flight of stone steps. 3 lead rainwater pipes: central and left with decorative straps and heads with initials and dates IGD 1692 and 1691 respectively, right with initials and date MA 1796. Return elevation to East has full height canted bay window to right and square gabled bay to left. The lead rainwater pipes to all sides are of various dates and include a number with gilded rainwater heads decorated with crowns and initials MA and dates 1787 and 1788 on service wing, and one with initials and date I &DG 1700 to courtyard. Service wing surmounted by square domed clock-tower dated 1788 with gilded ball finial. Interior has a wealth of C16 and later plasterwork and panelling, for details see R.C.H.M. pp 151-155. The gardens, which were laid out in the late C17 by Monsieur Beamont for Col. Graham are of National Importance and form a vital setting for the house."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"GARDEN FEATURE, KNOWN AS SMOKE HOUSE, APPROXIMATELY 200 METRES SOUTH EAST OF LEVENS HALL / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75550 / SD4960484881"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Garden feature, now known as Smoke House. Shown on 1720 plan of garden but has C19 front. Timber frame walls with lath and plaster infill, rendered; slate roof with stone ridge; studded boarded doors. Listed for group value."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"OLD STABLES APPROXIMATELY 50 METRES NORTH EAST OF LEVENS HALL, COTTAGES ATTACHED TO NORTH WEST AND SOUTH; AND GATE PIERS ATTACHED TO NORTH EAST CORNER AND WALLS / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II[star] / 75545 / SD4958785150"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Former stables, now houses, attached cottages, walls and gate piers. Probably mid C16 with late C17 remodelling; cottages added to North-West and South; converted to houses mid C20. Stone rubble walls with sandstone dressings. steeply-pitched graduated greenslate roof with stone ridge; and chimneys with paired or single round shafts. 2 storeys. Entrance front (to East): 8 windows, irregular, 2- and 3-light casements with chamfered stone mullions; 4 board doors in chamfered stone surrounds. Garden front: 8 windows, irregular, mostly 2-, 3- or 4-light casements with leaded glazing and chamfered stone mullions, some C20. Original vent slits to upper storey, glazed C20 door in corniced moulded surround. Gate piers part octagonal with moulded shafts surmounted by ball finials and flanked by semicircular-headed blank niches. See R.C.H.M. p155."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"WALLS, GATE PIERS AND GATES APPROXIMATELY 80 METRES LONG, PARALLEL TO, AND 70 METRES NORTH OF ENTRANCE ELEVATION OF LEVENS HALL / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75546 / SD4954585173"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Walls, gate piers and gates. Probably c1700: similar walls shown on a 1720 plan of gardens appear to be part of Beaumont's original design for gardens of 1692. Rubble walls, with sandstone dressings. Central low portion has moulded copings surmounted by 4 corniced sandstone piers and timber balusters with moulded top and bottom rails and uprights set diagonally. Gateway at centre, flanked by rusticated sandstone piers with plinths and cornices, has later decorative wrought-iron gates with ramped tops and scrolled heads to standards. Each pier surmounted by stone vase; similar vases at intervals on wall. Small wrought-iron lattice-patterned gate at East end. See R.C.H.M. p155."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"HA HA WALL APPROXIMATELY 60 METRES SOUTH SOUTH WEST OF LEVENS HALL / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75549 / SD4947185009"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Ha Ha wall dating from original design for garden by Beamont c1692. Limestone rubble. Semicircular with radius approx. 10m. Approx. 3m high."
evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"POTTING SHED WITH ATTACHED STORES AT RIGHT ANGLES AND GATES AT NORTH EAST CORNER, IMMEDIATELY SOUTH WEST OF LEVENS HALL / / A6 / LEVENS / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75548 / SD4946985066"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Potting shed, attached stores and gates. Probably early C19. Stone rubble walls with roughly-squared weathered limestone piers to stores; graduated greenslate roof with stone ridge. L-shaped plan. Single storey. 2 windows with fixed glazing bars and glazed door. Interior has 2-bay roof with simple truss with ridge piece, 2 levels of purlins and curved wind braces; flagged floor. Listed for group value."
 sundial
 sundial (2)
 topiary garden

photograph
CAZ57.jpg  Ha ha.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ59.jpg  Ha ha.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ58.jpg  View from the ha ha.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
Set up by Monsieur Beaumont, gardener to Col James Grahme, in the period 1692-1720. It is the said to be the earliest ha ha in England.

photograph
CAZ20.jpg  Weathervane.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
Alan Bellingham lost the whole estate in gambling. He put his affairs into the hands of trustees in 1686, and they sold the estate to his kinsman James Grahme. Tradition has it that the estate was won on the turn of the ace of hearts, and a heart is a feature of some decoration of that period.
MN photo:-  
 There is a variety of rainwater heads:-

photograph
CAZ19.jpg "G / ! D / 1700" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ21.jpg "M G H" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ22.jpg "17 M A 87" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ23.jpg "17 M A 96" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ24.jpg "G / 1 D / 1691" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ25.jpg "G / I D / 1692" (taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ26.jpg  Down pipe bracket, with hearts.
(taken 2.7.2014)  

photograph
CAZ55.jpg  Garden structure, built 1920s.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ60.jpg  Seat, limestone pavement.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ63.jpg  Herb garden.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ64.jpg  Herb garden.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ48.jpg  The Smoke House, where you were sent to smoke.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ73.jpg  The Smoke House, from outside; notice the triangular shape..
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ69.jpg  Flood marks.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ70.jpg  Flood marks.
(taken 2.7.2014)  
photograph
CAZ71.jpg  Gate piers.
(taken 2.7.2014)  

photograph
CAZ18.jpg  Cupola with a turret clock
(taken 2.7.2014)  
The clock is perhaps by Jonas Barber, Winster, b.1668 d.1764. The dial was erected 1773. The bell for the hour strike is inscribed '[I. Grahme 1707]'
hearsay:-  
 Perhaps a 15th century pele; enclosed in a 17th-18th century hall, with 19th century additions.
Mrs Humphrey Ward, grandaughter of Dr Thomas Arnold of Rugby, wrote Helbeck of Bannisdale while at Levens Hall.
notes:-  
 The house still holds a fragment of ?parchment, a grant by William de Lancaster, Baron of Kendal, to Norman de Hieland of Lefnes, reserving the fishery and water of the Kent as far as Sandpol, for the yearly rent of 8s., dated 1170s-80s.
notes:-  
 Thomas H Mawson designed a water garden at Levens Hall, 1920s, for the tenant, LtCol Sir James P Reynolds.

Waymark, Janet: 2009: Thomas Mawson, Life, Gardens and Landscapes: Lincoln, Francis (London)
Longville, Tim &Corbett, Val (photr): 2007: Gardens of the Lake District: Lincoln, Frances (London)
: 2012: Cumbria Gardens 2012: National Gardens Scheme
observation:-  
 In the entrance hall there are two framed estate maps:-
"A MAPP of LEAVENS PARK"
and:-
"A MAP OF LEAVENS GARDING"
by Robert Skyring, about 1745.
On a stair, in dim light, is a map of the
"[QUARTERS OF HIS MAJESTYS FORCES IN ENGLAND 1687]"
ghost story:-  
 The Grey Lady who haunts the road outside the hall is probably the ghost of a gypsy who was refused food and shelter by the Lord of the Manor, and died of starvation, in the early 18th century. She died with a curse on the family, that no son would be born to inherit till the River Kent ceased flowing and a white fawn was born in the herd of black fallow deer in the park. In 1896 the Kent froze over, and a white fawn was born; and there was a son to the family.
There is a traditional toast at the hall:-
"Luck to Levens while the Kent flows."
hearsay:-  
 A potent beer was brewed here, called Morocco. The recipe is said to have introduced by a Howard, a Crusader knight, and it was kept 21 years before tapping.
"... almost dark, pours like oil, and tastes mild as milk in its treachery ..."
notes:-  
 14th century tower and later hall

Perriam, D R &Robinson, J: 1998: Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria: CWAAS:: ISBN 1 873124 23 6; plan and illustrations
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