Karen and I decided to go on a trip this afternoon, of course five minutes after we had decided this it started to rain, but we went anyway and although we had a couple of light showers , eventually the sun came out.
Houghton Lodge was built sometime before 1799 and probably intended as a fishing lodge, it is one of the earliest examples of a Cottage Orné or Rural Retreat. Whoever designed it appreciated regional buildings, especially the rounded thatched forms and plastered walls of Hampshire valley villages. Built on a hill overlooking the River Test, it is surrounded by beautiful gardens and a rolling lawn slopes down to the River. Missy and Raffles would love to live here.
When we arrived we waited for several minutes for some one to come and take out money, eventually we decided to pay on the way out.
We wandered around the gardens and then strolled down to the River Test, crossing over a little bridge to meet the Alpacas Tom and Dick, they were a little shy. On the "meadow walks we saw plenty of butterflies and damselflies......if only they would pose for photos! After a couple of hours we wandered back up to the entrance and were surprised that there was still no one to take our money. Then we saw a sign, if you would like a cup of tea or coffee help yourself and put money in the saucer. Soon we saw other signs, money for cake here and Ice cream in the freezer. Well we investigated and helped our selves to some refreshment, finally we left our money in an honesty box before setting off for home.
Painted
