Houghton Lodge Gardens

We visited Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge in Hampshire with my brother and his Jack Russell dog called Emma. He had visited this garden once before with my sister-in-law who thought the garden and location were so special.They had originally discovered it while searching for gardens that welcome dogs.  It didn't take us long to fall under it's spell too. 


We visited the Peacock Garden first. The peacock was made out of recycled materials and stood proudly surrounded by topiary.

The walled garden was equally impressive with many fruit trees, wild flowers and a border full of plants to create natural dyes.


I noticed this bee on the cardoon, it's body was covered in pollen!

 The house was built as a rural retreat in 1793. The roof of the building, the shape of the windows and the lattice iron work were so pretty.It had wonderful views overlooking the surrounding countryside.


The water meadows led down to the beautiful, clear, River Test. We met the resident Alpacas Tom, Dick and Harry!



We could only admire this beautiful boat house from a distance.

 As we wandered along the river bank we noticed a fisherman on the opposite bank fishing for brown trout.

It was such a peaceful location and the food and drink at the cafe in the walled garden was very good too.It was just so relaxing chatting in such gorgeous surroundings, while admiring the view and enjoying the homemade cake.


Do you think that Tavi and Emma were lucky enough to have some too ?


How could we resist those imploring eyes?

Sarah x

Comments

  1. How lovely to see Houghton Lodge which I have not seen for a least 40 years. Some friends living in Winchester took us there and I remember being charmed by the pretty architecture of the building and its position lying on a slight hill up from the River Test. Curiously I have no recollection at all of the beautiful gardens.

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    1. The gardens have only been developed in more recent times. Sarah x

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  2. What a beautiful place. You're always sharing a gorgeous site here. I really like the alpacas, they look so curious. That peacock statue is nice too, I actually thought it was a road-runner at first, one of my local bird friends here in the desert. :)

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  3. Who could resist those eyes indeed!!! That peacock sculpture is wonderful isn't it. I think that I recognise the house from a TV programme, Lewis or Midsomer perhaps? Glad that you had a great time out! xx

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    1. I glad you recognised it I forgot to mention that David Copperfield and Oscar Wilde had done some filming here. Sarah x

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  4. It looks such an amazing place to visit! The peacock is beautiful. It reminds me of the swan at Valentines park- i wonder if it is by the same person?x

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  5. Beautiful photos. Wish I could have been there. Even the fisherman is elegant.

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  6. haha cute! Love the little hopeful faces! What a beautiful garden, thank you for the tour!

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  7. Did Emma and Tavi get along? I can see they're best buddies when it comes to asking for food. The Gardens looks so nice. To have places like this nearby is why I'd love to live in Great Britain.

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    1. They got on quite well although Emma who is 9 can get fed up with a young rascal if he overstepped the mark! Sarah x

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  8. What a lovely place and such an unusual house - totally beautiful with surroundings to die for. Alpacas have such cute faces don't they, they were obviously interested in having their photo taken. A lovely shot of the man fishing - fly fishing always seems such a relaxing thing to do without all the paraphernalia that ordinary fishermen have to carry round. And how can you resist such a look from the dogs - hope they enjoyed the cake.

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  9. A beautiful garden - and for dogs, I have never hear about.
    That was also a garden for children, with an eye on the water, if they are small.

    Sigrun

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  10. What beautiful gardens. I really like the look of this place. I hope your brother is bearing up. Thank goodness for dog companions - your two look very sweet together. Sam x

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  11. What a beautiful place. I'll add it to my list of places to visit. Love the alpacas, they're so odd looking! xx

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  12. teeheee....oh, I surely can't resist those eyes! SARAH!!!!!!! Those gardens.....I WANT! Doesn't a garden as such bring you to a state of euphoria? I truly believe there is a GENE in us that makes us want to be in the garden. What a lovely space....that boathouse, that white cottage retreat! You certainly have some pretty magical spots in your area, as we do as well here in the state of Minnesota. Oh, enjoy your day my friend! Anita

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  13. What an interesting house, and as for the gardens, I am so envious of all the beautiful places you have close by to visit.

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  14. Me too! Envious that is of all the wonderful places you have close by! Thanks for sharing though..x

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  15. A beautiful garden Sarah! Love the variety, partly formal garden partly cottage garden. Sweet photo's of the dogs!

    Happy weekend!

    Madelief x

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  16. Ooh! You were only 10 mins away from me. Wish I'd known- we could have had tea and cake, although you'd probably had enough by then! Tavi has really grown up and is looking very beautiful xx

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    1. I thought we couldn't have been that far from you! Yes we were a bit full of cake by then! It would have been good to meet and also see Poppy and Ted! Sarah x

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  17. What beautiful gardens! I especially love those alpacas! Tavi and Emma look exactly like Fergus and Jenny when we are eating. They stand there looking up at us with imploring eyes, making us feel guilty about every bite we take. :-)

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  18. What a lovely place to visit and being able to take the dogs is great. I think it's catching on more now. Over here dogs are allowed on the steam trains and river ferries and into pubs and bistros more and more.

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  19. I simply love visiting gardens with you!

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  20. Gosh, that looks absolutely idyllic!

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  21. Gorgeous gardens. It is lovely that they welcome dogs.....so that they can join you for the day.

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  22. This garden is almost on my way when I go to visit my parents as I'm not far from Winchester when I turn south. It looks so beautiful that I may have to drive on one day and visit! The house looks very interesting as well and it's nice that there's a history to both house and gardens. Thanks for letting us know about this lovely place! C x

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    1. I'm sure you would love it too. The house is only open for special occasions but it is still nice to look at from the outside. Sarah x

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  23. I love to walk through the garden with you. And those eyes, so sweet!

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  24. That looks a lovely place to visit, and those alpacas look great in your photo..
    It is so nice to have a day like that.

    Hope the new week is a good one for you.

    All the best Jan

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  25. Lovely visit!
    I especially like the alpacas - amazing you got them lined up, spaced out and looking in the same direction! I thought they were sculptures at first.
    All the best :)

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  26. Just beautiful! I love the river Test and this garden looks so tranquil and restful, that you must have had a lovely day there. Thank you for taking me along :)
    Cathy x

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