Houghton Lodge Gardens

Houghton Lodge is a spectacular Grade II* 18th Century Cottage Orné on the banks of the River Test, surrounded by 14 acres of gardens, old trees and river banks, including walled garden with 12ft high chalk cobb walls, fruit trees, herbaceous borders, topiary hedges, box planting and oriental garden. There are a range of picturesque buildings including a dovecot, fishing hut, grotto, glass house, orchid house and 18th century stable courtyard with gothic doors and windows.

The house interior is largely the same as it was in Georgian times with a domed music room with ceiling painted with clouds and swallows, a dining room with chinoiserie wallpaper and ornate gothic French windows similar to those found in the interior of the stables at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. The bedrooms all have gothic windows. There is a double height kitchen with traditional cream aga and cellar with interesting shaped rooms including brick arches and brick paved passage.

There are over 800 acres of surrounding farmland with views over the Hampshire downs and water meadows, with traditional and modern farm buildings and farm machinery.

Houghton Lodge has been used as the location for television dramas, films, documentaries and photoshoots. It is popular because there are no power lines or any other 21st century features in view from the house. Most recently used by the BBC for television programmes ‘Garden Rescue’ and ‘Gardeners’ World’. It has also featured in the BBC’s adaptation of ‘David Copperfield’, the film ‘Wilde’, Agatha Christie’s ‘Miss Marple-Murder at the Vicarage’, the costume drama of Edith Wharton’s book ‘The Buccaneers’ and the river was used by Sir David Attenborough to record his documentary ‘Triumph of the Vertebrates’.

Houghton Lodge’s proximity to London (1.5 hrs), Southampton (40 mins), Andover (20 mins), Winchester (20 mins) and Salisbury (30 mins) means that it is ideally suited as a location. It is 62 miles from Pinewood and 55 miles from Shepperton Studios along the M3/A303/A30. We can supply electricity cables, toilets, and a seasonable tea room for a hungry cast and crew. We are 5 minutes drive from Stockbridge-which is abundant with cafes, pubs and local shops.

We have onsite accommodation sleeping up to 12 (6 double rooms) and there is excellent accommodation locally.

Please visit our website – www.houghtonlodge.co.uk