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.
I noticed this bee on the cardoon, it's body was covered in pollen!
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.
Do you think that Tavi and Emma were lucky enough to have some too ?
How could we resist those imploring eyes?
Sarah x
Sarah x
Great blog Sarah...
ReplyDeleteHow 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.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens have only been developed in more recent times. Sarah x
DeleteWhat 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. :)
ReplyDeleteWho 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
ReplyDeleteI glad you recognised it I forgot to mention that David Copperfield and Oscar Wilde had done some filming here. Sarah x
DeleteIt 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
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Wish I could have been there. Even the fisherman is elegant.
ReplyDeletehaha cute! Love the little hopeful faces! What a beautiful garden, thank you for the tour!
ReplyDeleteDid 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.
ReplyDeleteThey got on quite well although Emma who is 9 can get fed up with a young rascal if he overstepped the mark! Sarah x
DeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful garden - and for dogs, I have never hear about.
ReplyDeleteThat was also a garden for children, with an eye on the water, if they are small.
Sigrun
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
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. I'll add it to my list of places to visit. Love the alpacas, they're so odd looking! xx
ReplyDeleteteeheee....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
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting house, and as for the gardens, I am so envious of all the beautiful places you have close by to visit.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Envious that is of all the wonderful places you have close by! Thanks for sharing though..x
ReplyDeleteA beautiful garden Sarah! Love the variety, partly formal garden partly cottage garden. Sweet photo's of the dogs!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
Madelief x
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
ReplyDeleteI 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
DeleteWhat 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. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat 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.
ReplyDeleteI simply love visiting gardens with you!
ReplyDeleteGosh, that looks absolutely idyllic!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous gardens. It is lovely that they welcome dogs.....so that they can join you for the day.
ReplyDeleteThis 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
ReplyDeleteI'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
DeleteI love to walk through the garden with you. And those eyes, so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThat looks a lovely place to visit, and those alpacas look great in your photo..
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to have a day like that.
Hope the new week is a good one for you.
All the best Jan
Lovely visit!
ReplyDeleteI 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 :)
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 :)
ReplyDeleteCathy x