The history of
Brettargh Holt Mansion
Brettargh Holt Mansion was the vision of George Henry Brettargh Yeates, who had inherited a fortune, married Beatrice Boulger in 1868 at St Peter’s Church in London and soon afterwards decided to construct Brettargh Holt Mansion.
The name of the Estate and Mansion paid homage to the ancestral seat of the Brettargh Family, an armorial family with lineage dating back to the 12th century. Construction commenced in 1871 and was completed in late 1873.
Unfortunately, Harry passed away shortly after the Mansions completion at the young age of 34, Beatrice then sold Brettargh Holt Mansion and returned to London.
The Mansion over
the years
The estate was later acquired by Sir Charles Walker, an avid orchid enthusiast who constructed expansive greenhouses against the property's large, enduring garden walls. Beyond their horticultural legacy, Sir Charles’s daughters were notably prominent figures in the local suffragette movement. Following his passing in 1920, the estate was put up for auction. By 1928, it had been converted into the Levens Hotel, featuring architectural alterations overseen by Malcolm G. Shaw of Kendal.
Following challenges in securing a liquor license, then-owner Sam Ashcroft sold the estate to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In 1944, the property transitioned into a convent.
In the 1970s, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco turned the house into a vibrant retreat center. For decades, it served as a popular gathering space for youth groups, regularly hosting Scouts and Brownies who utilized the sprawling lawns as a perfect camping destination.
The Sisters officially relocated in the summer of 2012, after which the estate briefly transitioned into a hotel known as The Villa Levens. For 10 years the hotel hosted weddings and events but unfortunately ceased trading in 2025. The property was subsequently acquired for its next chapter. Today, the magnificent building and its extensive grounds have been carefully revived, safeguarding their rich heritage for the future under its grand original identity: Brettargh Holt Mansion.
Brettargh Holt
Mansion today
Following its latest refurbishment, the doors of Brettargh Holt are officially open once again.
We invite you to step into a world where luxury isn't just a standard, it's a canvas. Whether you’re dreaming of an exclusive takeover of our 22 beautifully designed bedrooms for family gatherings, planning a high-impact corporate retreat, or orchestrating a fairytale wedding, we provide the backdrop, you provide the vision.
Spread across 17 acres of pristine grounds, your possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
Today the mansion grounds can cater for the following groups:
- Up to 32 or 48 staying guests depending on preferred configuration
- 90 wedding ceremony guests in the Chapel with 60 seated guests for the reception.
- 150 Evening guests or 250 Daytime guests (Corporate) in the Garden Pavilion
- Commercial kitchen equipped for all catering demands
- Multiple breakaway function rooms to host corporate retreats.
- Ample level grounds for a marquee or stalls.
The grounds and gardens
The Mansion is set in a stunning 17 acres, with a wonderful tree lined drive and views across the fields and neighbouring farmlands.
Surrounded by nature, the grounds and garden provide a peaceful calming presence, with wildlife such as deer often roaming the grounds which can be seen from the windows in the Mansion.