Last Chance to Visit These Hampshire Gardens

Hi there Hampshire,

Pinch, punch, it’s the 1st of October! Can you believe we’re already in the season of woolly jumpers and pumpkin-spiced everything? Before we all start hibernating under blankets (although I have to admit, I’m writing this sitting under an electric blanket), there’s still plenty of fun to be had this month.

Whether you’re after a peaceful garden stroll or scaring yourself silly with Halloween antics, I’ve got a few treats (no tricks!) for you in this issue and more.

Get Lost in the Beauty of These Gardens – Last Month to Visit!

If you haven’t been to Houghton Lodge Gardens yet, now is the time to go – there's just one month left before they close for the winter! I visited in the summer, and it's truly a hidden gem in the Test Valley.

The gardens are so peaceful and beautifully maintained. Built in 1790, the house itself is a charming 18th-century Cottage Orné, but it’s the gardens that steal the show.

I spent about two hours exploring both the formal and informal areas, including a lovely lunch at the café. The walled kitchen garden with its fruit trees and herb beds was a particular highlight, and I loved the Oriental Garden with its calming water features and late-season flowers like blue nepeta sibirica.

Of course, you could easily take your time and spend much longer here, especially with the tearooms serving delicious homemade cakes and cream teas - the perfect way to extend your visit!

There’s something so special about visiting in the late season. The cosmos and anemones in the Peacock Garden are still putting on a show, and the wildlife pond is buzzing with damselflies and dragonflies.

Plus, the orchard is full of windfall apples, and yes – you can take some home with you! Oh, and if you’re an animal lover, make sure to say hello to the alpacas and sheep.

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

The gardens have a 4.4-star rating on Google with over 400 reviews, and it’s not hard to see why. One recent visitor called it "a real gem of a garden – simply beautiful and unbelievably tranquil" – I couldn’t agree more!

So, whether you're after a bit of peace, a photography session, or just fancy a lovely cream tea in a stunning setting, head to Houghton Lodge Gardens before they close on October 31st!

👉 Before you go, there's a great deal on Travelzoo! You’ll need to enter your email address to view the offer, but here’s what you need to know: adult tickets are just £6.50, and child (4-15 years) entry is £4, which will save you a few £s on entry. The deal is valid from 11am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-5pm on weekends throughout September and October 2024.

Photo of the Week: Petersfield Heath and Pond/Lake

This week's photo captures the charm of Petersfield Heath and Pond, a true gem in the heart of the town. If you’re visiting, there’s also a great circular walk that takes about 25 minutes and is just under a mile long.

The route around the pond is easy and flat, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll with pushchairs and dogs. Start from the free car park off Sussex Road (Postcode: GU31 4LB - W3W: seeing/filed/social) and walk anticlockwise to finish near the play area and café.

Along the way, you can also pop into the Plump Duck for a coffee and a bite to eat.

Spooky Halloween Activities in Hampshire

With Halloween on the way, I thought I would share upcoming events, as I noticed some are selling out quickly. As I started creating the list, I realised it was too long for this newsletter, so I created a separate post listing them all.

Events This Weekend

Saturday 5th October

Alresford Farmers' Market - 10am - 2pm

Bigger Pickles Markets - Totton Health & Leisure Centre - 3+ Nearly New Sale - 2-3pm

BTC Rowing Club - Taster Day - Itchen Bridge, Southampton - 10am-1pm

Zig Zag Fest - Selborne's Annual Beer, Wine and Music Festival (4th and 5th Oct)

The Ale-ing Fest Beer Festival - Hayling Island (4th and 5th Oct)

Swift, swallow and bird feeder workshop - River Hamble Country Park - 9.30am - 3.30pm

Autumn Festival - Lee-on-the-Solent - 10am-6pm

Owls by Moonlight - Hawk Conservancy Trust - 5.30-8.30pm

Isle of Wight Walking Festival - (5th - 13th October)

A Place for Coffee and Cake: Winchester Coffee Roasters

This week, I want to highlight Winchester Coffee Roasters, a hidden gem tucked away in Sun Valley Business Park, just outside the city centre. This quirky spot is primarily set up for roasting coffee and offers training sessions, including home barista courses and latte art workshops.

But it’s not just about the training; there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee or indulge in one of their amazing cakes.

A recent visitor said, “I have been visiting WCR for a couple of years now and can easily say it's the best coffee house and provider in the area. I always stop by when in Winchester for their drinks and get my freshly ground coffee from there; the Flat White Blend is my go-to—it's perfect!”

So, if you’re heading in or out of Winchester, make sure to pop by Winchester Coffee Roasters for a delightful coffee experience!

P.S. If you're looking to boost your coffee skills, I just came across a discount code on one of their flyers: BUZ9F82W. It gets you 10% off their training sessions at Winchester Coffee School.

Just For Fun: Anyone for Monopoly?

I’ve noticed the New Forest Monopoly game in so many shops lately, so I decided to take a closer look! On our Friday nights at home, we love to enjoy pizza (sometimes homemade!) and play games, and Monopoly is always a family favourite. We’re excited to give the New Forest version a try this week!

While I was browsing, I also came across a Southampton Monopoly game, which adds even more fun options for our game nights. If you’re looking to spice up your family evenings, check out the New Forest and Southampton Monopoly games on Amazon!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s issue!

Until next time,

Hannah

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