Houghton Lodge Gardens — Attraction in Test Valley

It was delightful sitting outside in Houghton Lodge's walled garden, enjoy the sun and the silence. As we were guests (we stayed in the on-site Apple Rooms) we didn't need to rush as we had access to the walled garden after opening hours. After coffee we walked through the formal garden and onto the lawns. These have always been my favourite feature of Houghton Lodge on every visit, the lines of the lawn cutting leading the eye towards the sculpted silhouette of the house. This visit just reinforced that impression, helped by a bed of daffodils in the foreground. We crossed the river to look at the llamas and sheep and then some moorhens (maybe?) before revisiting the walled garden. The apple blossom was superb and there were obviously some very old varieties planted there. I then spent an inordinate amount of time watching a bee work his way through a bunch of bluebells before we visited the orchid house. This, as the name suggests, had a variety of orchids in and was lovely and warm! At 9 the next morning I decided to go for a walk down to the river and see the sheep and swans. The light was totally different compared to the previous evening so I took my time and ambled around before getting back to the gardens at 10 to see the front of the house illuminated in the morning sun. I still haven't worked out if there's anywhere to get a picture of the house reflected in the...

In October this year, my elderly Mum (who has Alzheimers) and her partner who also has physical and cognitive challenges, needed somewhere to stay whilst we helped them move house. The Apple Rooms at Houghton Lodge garden was perfect. It was a lovely self-catering room, which was situated a very short walk away from the beautiful gardens and fabulous tea room. The staff at HLG went over and above to help my Mum and her partner. The house keeper Debbie was warm and kind and helped my Mum and Brian with everything they needed, she looked out for them whilst we were busy moving their things. The people in the tea room were also very warm and kind, and also went over and above when my Mum wandered off and her partner couldn't find her. They all jumped into action and help find and safely bring my Mum back to the room. Caroline and Henry were two of the staff who were brilliant. I can't thank everyone at HLG enough for helping us out at such a stressful time for all, particularly for my Mum and her partner who were leaving a house they had been in for 20 years. Not only is Houghton Lodge Gardens a beautiful place to visit with fantastic (and practical) accommodation, the staff make it a place that is also filled full to the brim with warmth...

Overpriced experience. We opted to visit these gardens as they allow dogs unlike others in the area. I was a bit shocked when presented the card machine for £25 for two of us. But let’s see…unfortunately it was obvious from the get go that the gardens were a little unloved. Although there were some beautiful dahlias growing, this was diminished by the extensive weed growth throughout the gravel paths. Much of the other beds showed signs of drought and weed growth, looking particularly mismanaged. Much of the walled garden is simply an orchard. It was interesting to see the Kiwis, I don’t think I have seen these growing anywhere before. The walk to the alpacas/sheep is through a mowed field with very little to look at, followed by a walk up past the grotto that is simply a path lined with stinging nettles. The ornamental bushes were straggly and unkept. It wasn’t until we met a lady in a mobility scooter at the end that we realised how inaccessible the gardens are for those in chairs. Overall we wouldn’t have minded if we’d paid £5 each. But £12.50 is excessive for what’s on offer, and I’m not entirely sure where the...