Levens Hall is an Elizabethan house south of Kendal, best known for its extraordinary topiary garden. The clipped shapes are not a modern gimmick: the garden has roots in the late 17th century, and its dense, theatrical yews and box forms feel wonderfully odd beside the old house.
It is one of the strongest excursions from Kendal if you like historic houses but want something with character. Allow time for the gardens as much as the rooms, and check opening days before making the trip.