A FORMER gardener at Highgrove, the private residence of King Charles and the Queen Consort, is now in charge at a historic south Cumbrian estate.

Matthew Murgatroyd has taken over as the new head gardener at Holker Hall and Gardens near Cartmel after 12 years at Highgrove.

He is in charge of the estate’s 25 acre garden which has been developed by the Cavendish family since the 1600s.

He hopes to refurbish Holker’s cascade and has already overseen the planting of an avenue of mature whitebeam trees.

Matthew said: “What’s really exciting for me is that Holker is a spring garden and I’m getting to see what’s coming up, and the bulbs popping up everywhere. The Rhododendrons and Magnolias will soon be coming into flower. It’s going to start with a bang.

“Holker is a garden where people are free to roam around, there aren’t the restrictions you find elsewhere. It is such a magnificent garden in spring, this is the time to come and explore.”

Fran Horne, former Museum and Tour manager at Manchester United, is the new Head of Visitor Services. She is used to a role overseeing huge visitor numbers.

Fran said: “We will concentrate on what Holker is really good at, which is looking after visitors, great food and drink, a wonderful place and lots to entertain the family.

“Holker is special. The landscape is amazing, and it has a lovely welcoming and friendly atmosphere that we want to extend to everyone. I want to make people feel we are here for them.”

The Courtyard Café has been redecorated and has a refreshed menu, new items have been introduced at the gift shop where visitors will now be able to buy plants found in the grounds.

Alongside the Spring Fayre and dog show (April 29 – 30) and a Midsummer Garden Tour with fizz hosted by Matthew on June 21, there will be the Wild Goat Festival run by sports legend Steve Cram between August 11–13.

There will be Easter egg hunts, Father’s Day Ploughman’s and a Pint, music, and the Bess & Barrel pop-up pub through July and August.

Holker Hall has recently launched a new website as well as a new app, which will give visitors insight into the stories behind paintings and artefacts in the house.