There are ten wonderful acres of gardens at Levens Hall waiting to be explored and enjoyed. They include the unique collection of ancient and extraordinary topiary characters sculpted from box and yew.

Extraordinary tales of everyday heroism have been illustrated beautifully by renowned US photographer Steve McCurry in the new 2015 Lavazza Calendar. The calendar which has been created in collaboration with the Slow Food movement, features twelve breathtaking pictures, capturing the spirit, strength and humanity of the Earth Defenders – women and men who protect their land and projects in Africa with passion and bravery. The proceeds from sales of the calendar and all donations will be contributed entirely to create 10,000 food gardens in African schools and villages by the end of 2016. (Photo by Steve McCurry/2015 Lavazza Calendar)

One of ten little spotted kiwi is released on Motuihe Island, a conservation pest-free island close to Auckland, on March 21, 2009 in Auckland, New Zealand. Eventually up to 40 endangered kiwi birds will be relocated to the island. (Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

Camels kick up clouds of sand as they race down a steep dune. The camels can reach speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour as they descend the ten-metre tall dunes on April 20, 2022. The photos were taken by photographer Qian Guo in Naiman Banner, near the city of Tongliao in the Inner Mongolia region of northeastern China. The 58 year old said: “These are local Mongolian farmers, and two of them are a father and a son. They have more than ten camels which they farm and train”. (Photo by Qian Guo/Solent News & Photo Agency)

Afghan children play on the remains of a Soviet-era armored personnel carrier on the outskirts of Jalalabad on February 15, 2016. Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan on February 15, 1989, after ten years of fighting against Mujahidin militiamen. (Photo by Noorullah Shirzada/AFP Photo)

People take part in a snowball fight in front of the Colosseum covered by snow during a snowfall in Rome, Italy, 26 February 2018. Media reports on 26 February state that extreme cold weather is forecast to hit many parts of Europe with temperatures plummeting to a possible ten year low. (Photo by Angelo Carconi/EPA/EFE)

Smithsonian National Zoo biologist Leigh Pitsko releases a male lion cub for its swim test in the zoo habitat moat, in Washington May 6, 2014. Four, unnamed ten-week old lion cubs were tested today for their ability to swim and remove themselves from their zoo habitat moat. (Photo by Gary Cameron/Reuters)

John Pfaff lays on a fallen tree Thursday, September 10, 2020, in Salt Lake City. Two days after a windstorm wreaked havoc in Utah, many schools remain closed and tens of thousands are still without power. (Photo by Rick Bowmer/AP Photo)