COVID-19  OPENING ARRANGEMENTS

At the start of 2020, we could not have imagined our doors remaining shut to visitors.  As we prepare ourselves for the “new normal”, the world we now find ourselves in has forced us to make some changes to our opening arrangements, in line with current Government guidelines, in order to keep both our visitors and staff safe.

The House, Gardens, Levens Kitchen and the Gift Shop are open.      

Levens Kitchen offers a delicious DINE IN OR TAKEAWAY MENU and the new LEVENS PICNIC LUNCH (which must be pre-ordered 24 hours in advance).  We have indoor and outdoor seating.  We do not operate a table reservations system.  On arrival you will be taken to a table.  Please order at the counter... then sit back down and relax, and the food will be brought to your table. 

Entry to the House will be for guided tours only.   Tours will be limited to 8 people per tour, and these will take place every 30 minutes from 10.30am until 3.30pm.  Places on the tours can be reserved at the entrance kiosk for a small additional cost of £4 per person, and are subject to availability. 

Where possible, please purchase your Gardens admission tickets in advance.  BUY TICKETS NOW.  And, if you bring your ticket back with you, we will admit you for one free visit to the gardens in the 2020 season. 

What to expect when you visit us:

• A face mask MUST be worn in the Gift Shop, Levens Kitchen and the House.
• Please maintain a 2 metre distance from visitors outside of your own household.
• 2m guidelines are clearly marked where there may be a need to queue.
• Only visit in small groups of no more than six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines.
• Please use the hand sanitizers when entering and exiting the site, and before entering the shop. Additional hand sanitizers are located throughout the site and you are encouraged to use them whenever possible.
• If our staff deem that the site is becoming too busy, we will operate a one-out, one-in policy.
• Please follow any signage that you may find around the grounds.
• A maximum of 6 people will be allowed in the shop at any one time.  
• Only 1 person to queue to order and wait for food in Levens Kitchen. 
• Please avoid touching items in the shop that you are unlikely to buy.
• We cannot accept cash payments so please be prepared to pay with a contactless card. Payment limits have been increased to £45 per transaction on cards and mobile payment options have no limits.
• Perspex screens have been installed at the till in the shop. 
• We have provided our staff with any necessary PPE.
• Toilet facilities are open.  They are cleaned and sanitized on a very regular basis throughout the day.  A one-out, one-in policy is in operation.  
• Dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) are not permitted in the Garden or Levens Kitchen.  Dogs are, however, very welcome on Levens Kitchen Terrace and in the Gift Shop courtyard.
• Sadly, we are not able to offer the mobility scooter at present.
• "Meet the Gardener" tours will not take place on a Tuesday until further notice. 
• The playground is open.

We are sure you will appreciate that this is an ever-changing situation and we are constantly reviewing arrangements, but if you would like to discuss anything with a member of staff, or spot a problem, we would really like to hear from you before you leave, so please speak to us – we are a friendly and helpful team!