 Holker Hall
In this peaceful spot, surrounded by the gentle countryside of the Southern
Lake District, the Preston family built their fine house on land formerly
belonging to Cartmel Priory.
With the extinction of the male line of Prestons,
the female heir married into the Lowther family and, early in the 18th
century, Sir Thomas Lowther married the 2nd Duke of Devonshire's daughter.
From that day until this, Holker Hall has been home to members of the Cavendish family.
The first major changes to the appearance of Holker Hall seemed to occur when
Sir Thomas inherited. It was during his time that the house was extended
with a north wing, and large formal gardens were created. His son, William,
added a fine collection of paintings. Following William's death, his cousin
Lord Cavendish inherited Holker Hall and, once again, made substantial
alterations to both the house and gardens. Throughout the 19th century
there was a continual programme of remodelling, rebuilding and refurbishment
of Holker Hall carried out by the 7th Duke of Devonshire to reflect the
changing fashions. But he also had to rebuild the entire west wing as
a result of the devastating fire that struck in 1871. It is this
delightfully captivating red sandstone structure, lavishly embellished
in the typical style of great Victorian architects, which provides an
imposing backdrop to the colourful formal gardens.
Internally, the spacious rooms, fine furnishings and elegant décor are not surprising in a stately
home of this standing, but what is noticeably different is the feeling
that everything has been looked after because it is treasured by the
family. The environment is welcoming, and unrestricted by notices and
ropes, and the visitor is really able to enjoy being a part of this
beautiful home for a short while. As an ancestral home, there are plenty
of family portraits to be seen on the walls, and family photographs
are scattered around many surfaces throughout the house. But it is
not only the quality of the furniture and art collections which make Holker
Hall an interesting place. The craftsmanship employed in creating the
rooms deserves more than a passing glimpse. From the ornate moulded
plaster ceilings to the exquisite examples of linenfold panelling,
and from elegant marble fire surrounds to the richly carved oak staircase,
the house is a perfect arena to display the many skills of the Victorian era.
Each generation have added their personal stamp to Holker Hall, and the present
Lord and Lady Cavendish are no exception. With additional artefacts on
display, and continual development of the gardens and parkland, Holker Hall
presents an ever-changing vista of delight. The Lakeland Motor Museum
is also housed here, and contains a fascinating collection of motor memorabilia,
including an exhibit on Donald Campbell and his record-breaking land speed
exploits in Bluebird. |
