During its 230th anniversary year Houghton Lodge Gardens near Stockbridge, will officially open its new Oriental Garden. Houghton Lodge is a Grade II* listed “Cottage Orné” surrounded by mature trees and lawns sweeping down to the banks of the famous River Test, arguably one of the most beautiful privately owned gardens to visit in Hampshire.
In the new Oriental Garden visitors can explore its cherry orchard, rose garden, and enjoy the exquisite joinery of the beautiful Torii Arch, Moon Gate and Nikko Bridge, as well as new water-loving marginal plants growing on the banks of the pond and island, and a moss garden on the bank of the stream. The Moon Gate provides a doorway between the new oriental garden and the old eighteenth century garden leading visitors to the acer walk which takes you into the park- abundant with cow parsley and the blue spires of camassia. Visitors can make a wish by tying a ribbon to the branches of the twisted willow – a popular Japanese custom.
Says owner, Sophie Busk; “The inspiration for the new addition to our garden came from a visit to the Japanese garden at The Chateau de Courances, France in 2008 where the colours, shapes and sounds made a lasting impression on me. Too much time in lockdown made us restless and impatient for a new project! We think this is a fabulous addition to the garden at Houghton
Lodge and unique to the Test valley, and we very much look forward to watching it grow with our visitors.”
The Oriental Garden is designed by Richard Taylor from leading landscape designers Taylor Tripp. Charlie’s Gardens moulded the landscape and created the stream. Jon Dodson advised us on the many roses (over 100!) that have been planted. Andy Phillips has created the moss garden. Rodney Malcomber all the joinery-painted by Tony Marsh and Debbie Spiers. Artist Fred Clark has made the statues of the Goat and Deer. Kevin Barnett, Leslie Lloyd and Catherine Tarrant are doing an incredible job of maintaining the new garden with volunteers Jonathan Henton and Peter Hughes. Heavy moving of stone and statues has been done by Sean Waters and Kevin Leader, and finally Purbeck setts laid by Seth Crosswaite.
Events to mark the anniversary include a special version of Houghton Lodge’s ‘Music on the Test’, to take place on the stunning banks of the River Test, a Regency afternoon in the garden, and an Apple Day, celebrating Houghton’s wonderful heritage apples and pears.
The new Bloom Bloom Tea Room provides tasty light meals, snacks and drinks – a treat for all visitors, with seating in the walled garden or Orangery.
For more information visit
www.houghtonlodge.co.uk
