Windy Hall
Windy Hall, originally a row of 17th-century workers’ cottages, is surrounded by 3-4 acres of gardens and woodland, with spectacular views across Windermere to the Western Lakeland fells.
Over 40 years David and Diane, research scientists in Geology and Ecology respectively, built and established the gardens. Their love of plants was matched by their passion for rare breeds and exotic birds. The results of their hard work and dedication are the beautiful and eclectic gardens that are here today. Applying their knowledge of and enthusiasm for the natural world, they landscaped the gardens, building ponds for the rare birds they had collected and planting hundreds of rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias and stewartias.
Luke continues the care for the gardens whilst working with the family to enhance and develop aspects, including the kitchen garden, for the next generation.
Japanese Moss Garden
Having spent several weeks in Japan with the Japanese Garden Society, David and DIane were bowled over by many aspects of the country’s garden style. It was the idea of ‘borrowed landscape’ and the subtle use of stone, moss and ferns that particularly sparked their imagination. The results of which are Windy Hall’s enchanting Japanse Moss Garden.
This was an area of interest that Luke shared with the couple, having researched and then applied these principles and during his work to restore the gardens at The Samling Hotel. Today, Luke enjoys caring for this part of the garden, ensuring the delicate moss and lichen is protected and nurtured.
Windy Hall has been enjoyed by many visitors over the past 20 years who have taken the time to explore the gardens through the National Garden Scheme (NGS) open days.
When she retired, Diane became NGS County Organiser for Cumbria. Since 1927 this organisation has been opening private gardens to the public to raise money for charity; initially as part of QNI (District Nurses) but since 1980 as an independent charity.
Luke and the Kinsman family are pleased to be able reopen the gardens as part of the NGS calendar in 2023. To find out when you can visit go to the NGS website: https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/13349/windy-hall