General Chat

Yes village is lovely, also Houghton Lodge, nearby, where a lot of TV films have been made.

When we went to Houghton Lodge, we paid our entrance fee, and got tea and biscuits thrown in, How's that for a bargain.

Dont know if they still do this.

Have to agree - the gardens are lovely. It has added interest to me as one side of my family originated from there - that's the village not the Abbey!! :o)

Lots of the car parking spaces were being re laid yesterday, so that is why they were parking up the roads Sunday. OK yesterday.
Maybe they will have finished by this week end, and will be plenty of car parking.

I went on Sunday, agree it was beautiful. They had over 2,000 people through the gates we were told. People were parking up the roads and all over the place. Shows how popular it is.

Sue

That sounds great.
... I feel a visit to relatives in Hampshire is on the cards.

Gwyn

Gwyn in Kent.

Yes the Roses are old ones and smell beautiful, they also have other flowers mixed in with lavender boarders, so you can imagine the smell is lovely.and you can also buy from the grounds outside the NT shop, Pricy, but really lovely.
This year they have put a canvas Gazebo up on one of the lawns, which was welcome this afternoon, as it gets very hot in the walled gardens.
In June while the roses are out, they open in the evening as well, as the scents come out more then.

Mo

Ann - There is a Floral Art Exhibition there at the moment.

As a nice treat there is a nice Restaurant at Kimbridge, - Annies. we either have a lunch there, or as this afternoon, - tea and piece of delicious cake.
For light lunch can recommend the smoked trout and cream cheese ciabatta.

Of course you may know of this place.

This is somewhere that I would like to go. Perhaps we should make a special effort while the roses are out.
They sound just lovely.

Do they have the older perfumed ones as well as the 'showy' sort?

Gwyn

We are NT members but have not been there. daughter lives in Colden common so not too far to go. Will have to mention it.

Ann
Glos

Ann, as NT members we go there quite often, and try and see the gardens all seasons. House opened at Christmas with Christmas Decorations either Victorian, or Edwardian.
Have been going for years when the Roses are out, but this year the best we have ever seen. Generally it rains, and flattens them, but at their peak now.

Mo

Shame, we were down at daughters last weekend although only for a very short visit, and wont be down again until after the roses are over.

Ann
Glos

Just come home from Mottisfont Abbey, near Romsey. The Roses and other flowers in the Rose Gardens, are the best I have ever seen them.

Worth a trip if anyone is near, and likes Roses. Is a National Trust property.