A decidedly Chilli weekend in the South Lakes

Visitors to the Southern Lake District, in beautiful Cumbria, are being warned that it will be decidedly chilli this coming weekend, although the focus will be on hotting things up.

Elizabethan historic home, Levens Hall, situated five miles south of Kendal, is staging the first Lakes Chilli Fest between August 16-17, allowing those who like things a little spicy to indulge their passion for hot and aromatic foods.

Jams, jellies, chocolate sauces, seeds, powders, chutneys and oils will all be available for purchase, as an array of food producers showcase their hottest products. There will also be cookery demonstrations on both days, along with beer tasting courtesy of the Daleside Brewery.

Visitors can sway to the music of Pa Gozar salsa band and the Milnthorpe Steel Band, or follow a Chilli Trail through the grounds. Children can have fun in a dedicated play area, as well as Levens Hall's Willow Tunnel.

Levens' Head Gardener, Chris Crowder, will also be explaining how to cultivate chillis and a variety of his chilli plants will be on sale.

Entrance to the Chilli Fest will also enable visitors to tour the beautiful gardens and see Levens world-renowned Topiary Garden, laid out by Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, who also worked at Versailles. This fascinating early garden is today one of the best examples of a topiary garden still keeping its original design intact.

Admission to the Chilli Fest costs £7.00, inclusive of garden entrance. Under 16s can enter for free, if accompanied by an adult. Further details can be found at Levenshall.co.uk.