Amazing trees, Levens Hall and a little black dog.

The autumn tints in the garden are wonderful when the sun is shining but leaves are flying everywhere today as cold north-westerlies tell us to put on our coats and scarves. 

Our house sits on a hill so parts of the garden are on a slope which can make lawn mowing quite challenging at times.

Say "hello" to our friendly old Scots pine tree. Just look at his facial expression! A wise old thing, he has watched over this spot for over 250 years and seen the world change a great deal during his lifetime.

A family of squirrels plus numerous birds and insects live amongst his gnarled branches.

He is very generous with his pine cones which look very festive at Christmas time. 

By far the tallest tree in our garden the old Scots pine is at the mercy of strong winds and last year lost several huge limbs which crashed to the ground during a storm. See how damaged and bald he now is down the left-hand side but he carries on growing unperturbed.

A shapely young yew

Close to the old pine gentleman is this young yew tree. It has grown from a berry that was deposited by a bird some 15 years ago. My husband wanted to transplant it to a more suitable position but I had other plans... Topiary! Once it had reached 5 ft high I began shaping it with secateurs. Unfortunately I'm not sure what shape I'm aiming at. It has the appearance of a figure with a head, so the pieces that have sprouted from the top this year might become a convincing hat next year. I haven't yet made up my mind.

Before I resume clipping I will look for inspiration in this excellent topiary book by David Joyce

 
Now this is what I call real topiary. Aren't those shapes amazing? These yew trees have been cut to shape for the past 300 years and are part of a world famous topiary garden close to where I live.

Levens Hall

  
The topiary garden belongs to Levens Hall in Cumbria. The house dates from the year 1250 and has been lived in by the same family for many centuries. If you have seen the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Wives and Daughters' then you will be well acquainted with Levens Hall as its intereior and topiary garden were used for the many scenes shot at 'Hamley Hall'. 

When I first saw the film I was amazed just how much of the house and its original antique faurniture was used. The Hall is awash with mellow oak panelling and carving. Shown above is the Elizabethan Great Hall and staircase.

Above the fireplace can be seen the coat of arms of
Queen Elizabeth I

How I should love to have a meal in this dining room. The walnut dining chairs date from the time of Charles II (1660 - 1685) and are considered to be among the finest in the country. This dining room was used several times in the making of the film and I'm convinced these were the very same chairs that the characters sat on. I hope they were well insured!

This bay window is part of the drawing room. In 'Wives and Daughters' you see it first when Molly visits Mrs Hamley who is resting on her day-bed.

This is known as the Redman Bedroom and was used as Mrs Hamley's room in the film.

  
A visitor to Levens Hall will enter through the central door directly into the Great Hall. It is open to the public from April to October every year and, if you hadn't already guessed, it is one of my favourite places to visit. None of the rooms are overpoweringly large and all show evidence that a family is in permanent residence. Clocks tick and strike the hour and sweet smelling flowers picked from the garden sit on beautiful antique furniture. I love it!

This painting of the Hall and topiary garden was done over 100 years ago in 1870. On the extreme left you can see a wonderful cedar of Lebanon tree.

In 2005, 135 years after the painting was finished, disaster struck when this lovely old Cedar of Lebanon was blown over in a gale. It crashed down in the direction of the ancient topiary garden but thankfully narrowly missed most of the famous yew trees (this picture appeared in our local newspaper at the time). Clearing the garden of debris, repairing structural damage and replanting lost plants took many months.

Of course Levens Hall garden has a lot more to offer the visitor than just topiary. Head gardener, Chris Crowder, has produced a very colourful book that will guide you round. He was once resident gardener on the children's TV programme 'Blue Peter' but moved to Levens Hall in 1986.

When I passed Levens Hall last week the sign on the gate read 'Closed for the season' so I stood beside these giant gateposts and photographed the ancient Hall from a distance (below). How different it looks now that the public has left and the grounds are empty. All was silent except for the wind in the trees and it all felt a bit spooky and mysterious. I decided I wouldn't want to be there on my own at night.

When I got home I discovered from the guide book that Levens Hall does have a number of ghosts so I definitely won't be returning at night. I read about the Grey Lady; a gypsy who was refused admission to the house and who as a result died of starvation. Her ghost is seen on the drive and on the bridge over the river. A Pink Lady wearing a mob cap is seen from time to time in the main hall and finally a Little Black Dog. Apparently he frquently runs upstairs in front of unwary guests who, as a result, hunt in vain for him in their bedrooms. You can find out more about Levens Hall from their splendid website.

Knitting ghosts!

I like the idea of a little black dog running by, he sounds very appealing. As today is Halloween I have for you a little black dog knitting pattern. He doesn't look very ghost-like I'm afraid, but he is definitely in a hurry!

His companion 'the little white dog' is also a cute little fellow.

This chart can be used for knitting or cross stitch embroidery.

 

Comments

[Paula]

Dear Eli,
As always I enjoyed your written entry and beautiful photos so much!!! I thank you for sharing your beautiful home and country, it is almost like getting to visit England when I visit your blog!

I love your old Scots Pine Tree, what character he has!!! He is very handsome as is the yew which is looking wonderful!

I loved the movie Wives and Daughters and was delighted you shared Levens Hall (Hamely Hall) and its wonderful history! It was so sad to see that old cedar blown down, but I am glad that most of the famous yews were spared.
I would not want to be found there alone at night either, but it is very beautiful!

The doggies are so sweet!!!! Thank you for sharing. You knit so pretty!

Love, Paula

[carolyn]

The black dog is very appropriate for Halloween in this part of the world as seeing him is supposed to foretell death. Shudder.
Love your topiary I'm going to pop out and check on our yew, I'm inspired.

[Redwood House]

Hi Eli,
another great post, what a fabulous garden of trees you have, how wonderful to have such mature trees our are still very young.
Levens Hall is amazing I can see why it is a favorite haunt of yours, and yes a place like that just has to have ghosts.
A very beautiful part of the country you have there.
Jan

[Selia]

Dear Eli,

I love your gardens and your old Scots Pine. You are surrounded by such beauty. The young yew is so green and such a lovely tree also. I loved the tour of your Levens Hall and would love to visit someday! I love ghost stories but I, like you would be a little aprehensive to visit at night. ;o) Your knitting is wonderful, you just amaze me...Thank you for sharing!

Blessings,
Selia

[Fiona]

Your old scots pine is really lovely. I love it when trees are so old they do seem to become characters. I've always wanted to see the topiary at Levens Hall. Unfortunately it's a bit far for us to visit for a day. I'm sure it will give you good inspiration for your topiary.

[Cathy Santarsiero]

The gardens are so lovely. I really love your old scots pine tree! Happy November!