Houghton Lodge - The Grounds

The Grounds

The estate sits on the west side of the River Test, with watermeadows in the eastern part of the estate. An area of 5 acres (20,000 m2) of parks and lawns surround the house. A square planned grotto was built to the south west of the house in the early 19th century. Its brick vault and walls are entirely lined with flint nodules and it has small haphazard turrets in each corner. The grotto received a separate grade II listing in 1986.

The early nineteenth century walled kitchen garden measures 95 m by 65 m, and is Grade II listed. The walls are rendered chalk cob, with greenhouses built against the west wall. One of these now houses a hydroponicum, demonstrating hydroponics, a system of growing plants without soil. A long herbaceous border flanks the exterior of the east wall. A topiary garden (known as the Peacock Garden) sits to the north of the house.

The estate has been owned by the Busk family since 1910. The watermeadows are designated an ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area) and are managed appropriately, without the use of any fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. A 15-acre (61,000 m2) meadow walk has recently been developed here. The grounds are open to visitors year-round but the house is only open by prior appointment to organised groups.

The house and grounds have been used as filming locations for the film Wilde, and the television adaptations of David Copperfield, The Buccaneers and The Murder at the Vicarage.