The Great Lime at Holker – Great British Trees.

The Great Lime at Holker

One of the largest and finest common limes in Britain, this awe-inspiring tree (Tilia x europaea) has an enormous fluted trunk. Common lime is a hybrid between small leaved and large leaved limes, which appears to have arisen naturally. The date of its introduction to Britain is uncertain. The tree’s girth is 25.9 feet (7.9 metres) and it is an amazing tree to behold.

The lime grows in the 25-acre gardens of Holker Hall, an impressive building owned by Lord Cavendish, which is surrounded by a deer park planted in the late 18th century by Lord George Cavendish.  The earliest records of a house on the present site date back to the beginning of the 16^th century. From then until the present day the estate has been the home of three families: the Prestons, the Lowthers and the Cavendishes. The estate has never been bought or sold, but has passed by inheritance through the family line.

It is thought that the “Great Lime” was probably planted as part of the establishment of the formal gardens in the early 17^th century.  The earliest record of the Holker gardens dates back to the 1720s when Sir Thomas Lowther and Lady Elizabeth Cavendish were the owners. The gardens are now a beautiful setting and include several other record trees including some spectacular monkey puzzles.

Holker Hall is off the M6 at junction 36 (South Lakes). The Hall is then well sign-posted off A590. Walk through the “Formal Gardens”, follow path (to the right of the Meadow) for 150 yards.  The “Lime Tree” is on your right (behind the wrought iron circular seat.

© Copyright Oliver Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.