Levens Hall sits within a former medieval deer park, in an area of gently undulating pasture farming and woodland, just outside of the southern boundary of the Lake District National Park. The site is best known for its gardens, with the reportedly oldest topiary garden in the world, sitting within Lakeland stone walls to the South. The Hall and Gardens are open to the public during the summer months, with the Parklands and Cafe open to the public all year round. The Estate welcome over 30,000 visitors per year.
Attached to the Grade 1 listed West Wing was the former estate workshop used to house, repair, and maintain estate vehicles. In recent years the workshop had been left unused and had become alienated in the West courtyard which visitors frequently used. Crosby Granger Architects was appointed to redevelop the workshop into a new bakery creating a new use for the workshop whilst also alleviating pressure in the existing commercial kitchen at Levens Kitchen.
The existing workshop was built in the 1960โs and was constructed using unsuitable materials and construction methods isolating the building visually and physically from the surrounding listed buildings. As part of the development, the new bakery was fitted with new slim-line double-glazed windows and doors with the existing roof altered by adding sprocketed eaves, rooflights and natural wood-fibre insulation. These alterations ensured that the bakery sits comfortably amongst the surrounding buildings and is of appropriate quality to the wider Levens Hall Estate.
Crosby Granger Architects is honored to lead the restoration of Levens Hall's North Tower, a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor renowned for its historic topiary gardens. Our work includes replacing unsuitable cementitious render with traditional lime mortar, re-roofing with natural materials, and repairing internal plasterwork. These efforts ensure the Hall's preservation for future generations, reflecting our commitment to sensitive conservation and technical excellence.
Crosby Granger Architects is honored to have led the award-winning restoration of Eshton Hall, a Grade II* listed country house in North Yorkshire. Our work addressed previous substandard repairs, focusing on roof and guttering systems to prevent water ingress and structural damage. This project exemplifies our commitment to preserving historic estates through sensitive, sustainable interventions.
Appointed to work on the renowned St Oswald's Church in Grasmere, set within the idyllic village in the Lake District, Crosby Granger Architects is undertaking sensitive conservation efforts. Our focus includes preserving the church's historic features and ensuring its structural integrity, allowing this iconic place of worship to continue serving the community and visitors alike.
Crosby Granger Architects led the restoration of Thornthwaite Hall, a historic residence in the Lake District National Park. Our work includes addressing structural issues, conserving original features, re-rendering and updating its modest facilities to meet contemporary standards. By carefully balancing preservation with modernization, we ensure the hall's historical character is retained while enhancing its functionality for future use.
Water End House is a striking, modern family home set within a private estate overlooking Derwent Bay ๐ฟ
Tasked with replacing the storm-damaged original dwelling, we delivered a modern design that features full-height glazing at ground level, a zinc-clad timber frame upper floor, and locally sourced materials including Burlington stone and lime mortar.
The result: a breathable, sustainable home that balances privacy, beauty, and context - contributing a contemporary chapter to the estate`s rich architectural story.
If you`re looking to unlock the potential of your historic property, we would be delighted to help shape its future. Get in touch through the link in our bio ๐
#Architecture #LakeDistrictArchitecture #ContemporaryDesign #ArchitecturalHeritage #LakeDistrict
Jul 8
We were proud to act as Project Architect and Contract Administrator for a sensitive and rewarding build at Tarn Hows, Coniston - one of the Lake Districtโs most visited natural sites ๐ฒ
Tasked with creating an education shelter and toilet facility in a protected and ecologically important area, we responded with a design that treads lightly on the landscape. Built using larch, beech, and oak sourced from natural windfall on the nearby National Trust estate and finished with a green sedum roof, this project is a celebration of local materials, sustainability, and place-sensitive design.
A careful collaboration with the Lake District National Park Authority ensured a result that supports both nature and visitor experience ๐
#SustainableArchitecture #Architecture #ArchitecturalDesign #LakeDistrict
Jul 4
How can new design coexist with historical surroundings? ๐ญ
Through thoughtful integration, modern design and heritage can work in harmony:
โจ Symbiosis - blending new forms with old foundations
๐ Context is key - new additions should respect their setting
๐ Adaptive reuse - preserving character while repurposing spaces
๐ Structural integrity - honoring the past, building for the future
We help clients navigate this balance with expertise and care. Find out more about what we offer through the link in our bio ๐
#Askthearchitect #Kendal #Architecture #Conservation #Architectadvice #ArchitectCareers
Jul 2
