Levens Hall and Gardens will be providing visitors with more than a taste of the much-praised food available from Levens Kitchen and Levens Bakery between June 21 and July 6.  During those dates, it will also be whetting the appetite for the Levens Art Trail, being staged on July 5 and 6.

Levens Hall and Gardens is staging an exhibition of the works of 16 local artists, who are taking part in the trail, ahead of the Levens Art Trail’s third year.  The taster of artistry and craftsmanship on display at Levens Hall’s Howard Room, behind Levens Kitchen, will help encourage people to take in the full artistic experience over the ‘Big Weekend’ in Levens village.

That weekend is set to see far more works on display, in both the studios of some of those taking part and also in the Levens Methodist Church.  An Art Trail map will be on sale at the church and in the Levens Village Shop, at a cost of £3. There will also be a traditional afternoon tea served in the village, along with a marquee dance and family-focused activities.

By offering an appetiser of what is to come in its nearby village, Levens Hall and Gardens will be helping to celebrate the skill of many talented artists in the surrounding area.  It will also be encouraging visitors, who might otherwise not know about the trail, to make a note in their diaries to explore it for themselves.

The artists taking part in the teaser exhibition and trail have a variety of skills.  Several are exquisite painters, but there is also a lino printer, furniture maker, book binder, photographer, felter and luthier – a maker of stringed instruments.

Works could inspire further exploration of some local places in the landscape, or a deeper appreciation of local wildlife.  They might further an appreciation of natural colour and light on the fells and listening to artists’ back-stories might just inspire someone to follow suit and pick up a paintbrush or try neurological art for mental health benefit.

The rich bank of creativity will help make the Howard Room a popular place to which to pop in.  Sampling the exhibition can be done for free, with no obligation to pay for entrance to the main house and gardens.  It is an irresistible amuse bouche for those who love art and craftsmanship.

Combining a review of the creative output of the Art Trail artists with a brunch or lunch in Levens Kitchen, or a takeaway treat from Levens Bakery, could make an ideal trip out for local residents, or visitors to the Lake District who are making foodie pitstops.  It’s also an unexpected added extra for those visiting the house and gardens, or just the gardens.

Levens Hall and Gardens’ owner, Richard Bagot, says, “We are delighted to be able to support the Levens Art Trail in this way and give the talented artists and craftspeople even wider exposure.  By giving an insight into what the full trail can offer, we hope that the Art Trail will be able to achieve its ambitions and that Levens village will be the place to be over the weekend of July 5 and 6.”