Topiary can add elegance and structure, eye-catching focus and an evergreen appeal to gardens but many of us need a little help in getting started with our clipping journey.  That help will be available in abundance at the Cumbrian visitor attraction, home to the world’s oldest topiary garden (dating from 1694).

The European Boxwood and Topiary Society will give table-top topiary talks and the hints, tips and inspiration required, to get a keen wannabe topiary gardener started with their sculpting.

Levens Hall and Gardens’ head gardener, Chris Crowder, is leading ‘Talking Topiary’ tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm for more inspiration. Getting the clippers out, and having a little patience with the shrub you are training and shearing, will seem well worth it, as the story of the garden and over 100 pieces of quirky, dramatic and breathtaking topiary is revealed.

The World Topiary Day event activities are included within the standard admission price of £10.50 for an adult, £4 for a child and £26 for family admission (gardens-only).  

As well as taking in all things topiary, visitors can tour all other parts of the gardens.  These feature a peaceful Fountain Garden, Orchard, Herb Garden, dramatic Red/Blue & Pastel borders, Bowling Green, Labyrinth, Beech Circle, bordered by huge beech hedge, and England’s earliest ha-ha.  There is also a children’s playground and audio tours are available.

Visitors also wishing to view the exquisite Elizabethan hall, to see examples of uplifting furnishing and fixtures design and craftsmanship from yesteryear, can do so for an extra £4 (adult), £1 (child) and £10 (family), on the day.

Food and drink can be enjoyed in Levens Kitchen and the shop have gorgeous topiary-themed items to spread the love of topiary indoors, as well as outdoors.

Head to www.levenshall.co.uk to find out more.