GLORIOUS weather, stunning horticulture and family entertainment is attracting thousands of visitors to a gardening festival which has been hailed the "Chelsea of the North". 

The opening day at Holker Garden Festival drew thousands of visitors from the North, further afield and even overseas. Many more thousands of festival goers are expected to flock to the Holker Hall estate tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.  

A team of experts from the Guild of Horticultural Judges, some who were judging at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last month, were full of praise for Holker.

Chris Arnold, secretary of the Guild of Horticultural Judges, said: "The quality at Holker is brilliant, it consistently goes up every year.

"Holker is often referred to as the Chelsea of the North, and it lives up to that reputation." 

The best in show horticultural stand over 15ft and a large gold medal was presented to Trev Lawrence of Chrysanthemums Direct, from Cheshire. The business also won gold at Chelsea.

Commending the entry which received maximum points, Rae Beckwith of the Guild of Horticultural Judges, said: "It is the precise way the display has been put together and the colour combination. The blooms are so vivid, it just jumps at you.

Martin Fish of the Guild of Horticultural Judges said: "There is a lovely mixture of different stands, roses, herbaceous, vegetables, it's lovely."

The Cavendish family, who own the estate, presented the Best Show Garden award and a large gold medal to John Roberts, of Sharp Paving Ltd, Kendal, for his team's stunning exhibit titled Bridging the Gap.

Following the Gardening through the Generations theme, Sharp Paving created a charming 1950s garden on one side of a wooden bridge and a contemporary garden with clean lines and feature pool on the other.

Of the show garden, show president Lord Cavendish said: "It's an original garden and this is very well deserved." 

Lord Cavendish said: "It's very encouraging, the weather sets us off beautifully and it's not too hot. It's an exciting event which mixes business and social. People come to showcase their work. I'm rather impressed with the quality. 

Show chairman Lucy Cavendish said: "The weather is fantastic, we have been so lucky. The park looks lovely. The exhibits here are of genuine quality. 

"Ulverston Music Festival will be performing in Holker's gardens. The gardens are looking absolutely fantastic at this time of year so we hope people will visit them while they are here."