Highlights
- The Great Holker Lime, thought to be about 400 years old
- The Elliptical Garden, with clipped yew, pleached apples and herbaceous borders
- The Neptune Cascade, looking out over the estuary
- The Sunken Garden designed by Thomas Mawson
- The wildflower meadow, labyrinth and slate sundial
About Holker Hall Gardens
Holker is the home of the Cavendish family, and its gardens have been shaped by successive generations over several hundred years. The oldest survivor is the Great Holker Lime, thought to be around 400 years old and a remnant of the first formal garden of the early 1700s. It was named by the Tree Council as one of 50 Great British Trees.
The gardens cover 23 acres and blend formal areas with trees, shrubs and meadow that run out into the ancient deer park. Twentieth-century additions include a sunken garden by Thomas Mawson, and since the 1980s the family has added a cascade, a summer garden, a labyrinth and a grove designed by Kim Wilkie. Holker is an RHS Partner Garden and a member of Historic Houses.
What to see
- The Elliptical Garden, echoing the early formal garden, with yew, pleached apples, a lime arch and a fountain.
- Neptune and the Cascade, built largely by the estate team in the late 1980s.
- The Summer Garden, with deep borders and a Portugal laurel tunnel.
- The Sunken Garden, by Thomas Mawson, sheltered and scented.
- The wildflower meadow, with yellow rattle, scabious and martagon lilies, leading to the labyrinth and a large slate sundial by Sir Mark Lennox-Boyd.
- The National Collection of Styracaceae, begun over 30 years ago.
Planning your visit
Holker is near Cark-in-Cartmel, close to Grange-over-Sands. There is designated Blue Badge parking and coach parking for groups. The Courtyard Café, gift shop and a Discovery Hub with maps and local trails are next to the main gates, and the Deer Park is open dawn to dusk.
Picnics are welcome on the lawns. Accessible toilets are in the café complex, and essential carers are admitted free with proof of eligible benefits. In November and December the hall is shown by guided tour only.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Holker Hall gardens?
A gardens-only ticket is £11.95 for adults, and hall and gardens is £15.95. Children under 12 go free. There is no need to book; pay at the kiosk on arrival.
Are dogs allowed at Holker Hall?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the estate, on a lead at all times, but not inside the hall.
Is Holker Hall accessible?
The grounds have smooth paths and ramps, wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, and a Tramper mobility scooter can be hired. Wheelchair access inside the hall is limited to the ground floor.