Monday, 02 November 2009
On 22nd October at Cartmel Village Hall, Janet Smith, part-time guide at Holker Hall for 9 years, gave an illustrated talk on "Families of Holker". Her knowledge appeared boundless. Today Holker is the home of Lord and Lady Hugh Cavendish and yes, Holker can be pronounced Holker or Hooker. Both are correct. It is a Norse word and means Marshy Hollows. The history of the Hall begins in the 16th Century and has only belonged to 3 different surnames since; Preston, Lowther and Cavendish. It has never been bought or sold during that time.
George Preston is thought to have built the first house on the present site in 1604 and he also played a major role in the restoration of Cartmel Priory after the Dissolution of the Monastries in 1537. Through marriage Holker passed from the Prestons to the Lowthers where it remained until 1756.
In 1756 Sir William Lowther died unmarried and left Holker to his cousin, Lord George Cavendish, 2nd son of 3rd Duke of Devonshire and is still in possession of the Cavendish family today.
In 1871 Lord Frederick Cavendish, son of the 7 Duke of Devonshire, escaped a fire which burnt down the West Wing of the Hall, later in his life he was murdered in Phoenix Park Dublin. He was a member of William Gladstone’s Government and married to his niece. There is an effigy and memorial to him in Cartmel Priory.
In the 20th Century Lord Richard and Lady Moyra Cavendish engaged Thomas Mawson of Windermere and together they designed and added much to the beauty of the gardens. Today children especially adore the giant 350year old tree, The Great Holker Lime, which provides many hiding places. It was grown originally for its abundance of fine branches used for staking animals.
These are mere snippets of the very complete history given by Janet Smith. If you would like to know the complete story why not have a tour of the house and gardens with her.
Dates for 2010 will be published in December when a list of talks and field trips will be made available; watch the website www.cartmel-peninsula-lhs.org.uk or contact Ruth Hughes 015395 32591.