Houghton Lodge

DH and I enjoyed a great day out recently, it was a spur of the moment decision and we decided to go somewhere close to home that we had never visited before. The location was Houghton Lodge, near Stockbridge. It is somewhere that has been on my radar for a little while, spurred on by my son visiting with the band he plays in a little while ago and seeing some of the photos he took that day.

Houghton Lodge is situated on the River Test and is described as 'the jewel of the Test Valley' and 'a stately pleasure-dome on the most romantic river in England'. The Lodge itself is only open to booked groups but the walled garden, the herbaceous border and the 14 acres of landscaped gardens sweeping down to the River Test is open to visitors during the summer months. To find out more visit their website.


We chose a perfect day for our visit and we both thoroughly enjoyed our day here, looking around the gardens and walking through beautiful countryside to say nothing of enjoying a lovely cream tea in the tea garden!


Here are some of the many photos that I took.

The Lodge (I would love to look inside here one day)

Chimneys - these fascinated me

Such a beautiful building

The series of archways in the walled garden

The well in the walled garden

Looking out from the walled garden

The gardens were a little past their peak but the dahlias were stunning

A stunning herbaceous border outside of the walled garden

I loved the globe thistles, they were covered in bees

The stunning River Test, it was lovely to stroll through the grounds alongside this famous river

We couldn't have chosen a more perfect day!

I love how the sunlight was shining on the river

Glad to find a place where I could capture the river and the lodge

The Test is famous for its fishing and I loved this fishing lodge

If you are into fishing what better place to sit and enjoy your hobby

We saw so many swans plus other wildlife on the river

DH feeling satisfied after enjoying a cream tea!

So happy after enjoying a perfect day!

I can highly recommend a visit to Houghton Lodge if you find yourself in this part of the country and I am sure you will enjoy afternoon tea at the tea rooms as well!