Levens Hall Appoints First Female Head Gardener In Its 332-Year History
Levens Hall and Gardens in South Cumbria has appointed its first female head gardener in 332 years, marking a historic change for the estate.
Gillian Boyle has taken over responsibility for the gardens at the historic property near Kendal, becoming the 12th person to hold the position since the gardening tradition began in 1694. Her appointment follows the retirement of Chris Crowder, who spent four decades maintaining and developing the estate's internationally recognised gardens. The change represents a significant moment in the history of one of Cumbria's best-known horticultural attractions, where successive head gardeners have helped preserve an exceptional landscape across more than three centuries.
The appointment brings to an end Mr Crowder's 40-year association with Levens Hall. He joined the estate in 1986 and became responsible for looking after its distinctive gardens, including the historic topiary that has made the property famous among gardening enthusiasts. During his time in the role, he helped maintain the original character of the grounds while ensuring that the gardens continued to attract visitors from across the UK and overseas. His retirement marks the conclusion of one of the longest individual periods of service in the estate's gardening history.
Ms Boyle's appointment also establishes a new chapter in a tradition that has been maintained by 11 previous head gardeners. Since 1694, the position has been held by a relatively small number of individuals, each responsible for passing on their knowledge and experience to future generations. The appointment of a woman to the role for the first time reflects a change in the history of the estate while maintaining the continuity of the work involved in caring for its historic landscape.
The gardens at Levens Hall were originally established under Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, the French gardener credited with creating the grounds in 1694. His original designs helped establish the distinctive layout and topiary features that remain central to the attraction today. The gardens have been maintained and developed by successive head gardeners, with their work helping preserve Beaumont's original vision despite changing horticultural fashions and approaches to landscape design over the centuries.
Levens Hall is particularly renowned for its topiary garden, widely recognised as the oldest surviving example of its kind in the world. Its carefully shaped yew trees create distinctive architectural forms that have become one of the estate's defining features. Maintaining these living structures requires specialist knowledge, patience and regular attention, with pruning and shaping carried out to preserve their appearance. The garden's unusual designs have helped establish Levens Hall as an important destination for horticultural enthusiasts and visitors interested in historic landscapes.
The topiary is only one part of the wider gardens, which include formal planting areas, mature trees, lawns and other carefully maintained features. The grounds have evolved over generations, with each head gardener making contributions while working within the character established by Beaumont. This combination of historic design and continuing horticultural management has allowed the gardens to retain their identity while accommodating changes in gardening techniques and visitor expectations.
Mr Crowder's contribution extended beyond the routine maintenance of the grounds. During his four decades at Levens Hall, he researched the estate's gardening history and helped document the individuals who had previously held the position. His research provided valuable information about the development of the gardens and the work of earlier head gardeners. He also wrote the book The Garden at Levens, published in 2005, which records aspects of the property's horticultural history and the people responsible for shaping it.
During his time at the estate, Mr Crowder also helped raise the international profile of topiary gardening. He played an important role in establishing World Topiary Day in May 2020, bringing together gardens and enthusiasts at a time when international travel and public gatherings were severely restricted by the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative developed into an international celebration involving gardens in several countries, helping promote the art of topiary and the importance of preserving historic examples.
The retirement of Mr Crowder was also marked by a special historical presentation from the owners of Levens Hall. He received a George IV silver hunting snuff box that had originally belonged to Alexander Forbes, one of the estate's former head gardeners. Forbes held the position between 1810 and 1861, making the object a direct connection to an earlier period in the property's history. The gift recognised Mr Crowder's four decades of service and reflected the longstanding tradition of passing responsibility for the gardens between successive custodians.
The snuff box was originally made by Thomas Shaw in Birmingham in 1829 and was presented to Forbes in 1838. Its historical connection to Levens Hall was identified after an inscription attracted the attention of Janet Pruce, a local antiques fair organiser, who alerted the estate. Owner Richard Bagot subsequently acquired the item and presented it to Mr Crowder as a retirement gift. The story highlighted the continuing interest in the people and objects connected with the estate's long gardening history.
The wider history of Levens Hall demonstrates how individual gardeners have influenced the appearance and development of the grounds. Some introduced new planting, while others concentrated on restoring areas that had fallen into decline or adapting the estate to changing requirements. Their work has helped ensure that the original topiary designs survived periods when formal gardens were considered less fashionable. The current landscape is therefore the result of centuries of maintenance, horticultural knowledge and decisions made by successive generations of gardeners and estate owners.
A sculpture unveiled at the estate in September 2026 also celebrates the 11 head gardeners who shaped the grounds between 1694 and Mr Crowder's retirement. The artwork, made from COR-TEN steel and featuring brass leaves bearing names and dates, provides a permanent tribute to their contribution. Created by designer Tom Vickers, the sculpture stands near Mrs Taylor's Gate and commemorates the individuals responsible for maintaining the gardens across 332 years. Ms Boyle's appointment marks the beginning of the next chapter in that continuing history.
The new head gardener will now take responsibility for maintaining the estate's historic features and overseeing the work needed to preserve its distinctive appearance. The role involves balancing the demands of caring for an internationally recognised garden with the practical requirements of keeping the grounds accessible and attractive to visitors. The appointment also ensures that the knowledge and skills required to maintain the gardens will continue to be passed forward as part of the estate's long-established horticultural tradition.
Levens Hall and Gardens remains an important visitor attraction in South Cumbria, drawing interest from people with an appreciation of gardening, architecture and local history. Situated near Kendal, the estate combines a historic house with extensive gardens that reflect more than three centuries of horticultural development. The appointment of Ms Boyle provides a new milestone for the property while maintaining its connection with the gardeners who have shaped its landscape since the late 17th century.
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