Maintenance Commences at the World’s Oldest Topiary Garden

Horticulturalists in Cumbria have commenced the extensive six-month maintenance of the world’s most ancient topiary garden. At Levens Hall, situated near Kendal, certain trees date back to 1694. The garden holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest of its type globally. The grounds feature over 100 living sculptures, showcasing a diverse array of distinctive forms, including chess pieces, birds, and trees shaped to resemble figures such as Homer Simpson, Darth Vader, and Queen Elizabeth I. Annually, a small group of horticulturalists is assigned the responsibility of maintaining the garden’s aesthetic. Harry Hansen and Toby Bewley visited the site to interview the team. For updates, follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for content on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.