Houghton Lodge Gardens




Houghton Lodge Gardens is the ideal place to visit, whether your passion lies with Historic houses or beautiful gardens - or both. One of the most beautiful privately owned homes and gardens in Hampshire. The Grade II* listed formal and informal gardens surround the UK's best surviving example of an 18th Century Cottage Orné. It is idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test.
The walled garden is home to a heritage orchard enclosed by a historical chalk cob wall. It provides protection to 32 different varieties of apple tree, and recently crowned champion pear for being the widest espaliered pear tree in Britain. There is a herb garden with medicinal, natural dye, perfumery/pot pourri and herbal tea beds. See traditional vegetable beds and a fruit cage with golden and red raspberries. You will also see our hosta and iris beds, an impressive collection of Kelways peonies, bramley apple tunnel, cutting, scented and wildflower beds, orchid house, sweet peas, and stunning rose and clematis arbour. Outside the walled garden is the magnificent long border which provides a kaleidoscope of colour from summer through to the first frosts of autumn.
The new Oriental Garden opens in 2023 to coincide with the 230th anniversary of Houghton Lodge. Visitors will be able to appreciate its cherry orchard, acer walk, rose garden, stream, and beautiful Torii arch, Moongate and Japanese bridge, as well as new water-loving marginal plants growing on the banks of the pond and island. See our ever-friendly alpacas, meet the little flock of Hebridean sheep, and you may meet our resident topiary dragon who enjoys puffing his welcome! The serpentine walk offers an enchanting mix of the quiet and scents of ancient times, and before returning to the walled garden, see the splendour of the semi-formal box parterre that makes up the stunning peacock topiary garden.
Fact File
Opening Times: 1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023 11am - 5pm Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm Saturday /Sunday / Bank Holidays.
Admission Rates: Garden only: Adults £11.50, Children £5.50, Children under 3 FREE. Saving available if pre-booked online via website.
Group Rates
Garden only: For groups up to and including 30 members £11.50. Groups of 31 or over £10.50.
House and Garden: For groups up to and including 30 members £30.00. Groups of 31 or over £27.00. Group visits must be pre-booked. See website for details.
Facilities: Visitors coming to the garden can enjoy a relaxing break, where there is a range of tasty treats and drinks on offer. The Apple Rooms are six luxury self catering rooms ideal for staycations.
Disabled Access: The garden is not suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters due to hills and gravel paths.
See website for accessibility guide.
Special Events: See website for details of special events and house tours.
Coach Parking: Yes, adjacent to entrance.
Length of Visit: ½ day
Booking Contact: Sophie Busk, Houghton Lodge, Near Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6LQ.
Tel/Email: 01264 810502 sophie@houghtonlodge.co.uk
Website: www.houghtonlodge.co.uk
Location: Just 20 minutes from Andover, Romsey, Salisbury and Winchester. Close to excellent road networks with the M3, A303 and A30 running east-west and the A34 running north-south. Houghton is approx. 1.5 hrs from Central London (via Winchester and Andover stations) 1 hr from Oxford and 45 minutes from Southampton and the New Forest. Houghton is 5 minutes from the local town of Stockbridge.
Updated: March 2023