LONGSTOCK PARK WATER GARDEN – adult and child tickets £10 (under 3 yrs free – no ticket required)

Recognised as one of the great Water Gardens of the world, The John Lewis Partnership now manages the garden in the spirit in which John Spedan Lewis intended.

Longstock Park Water Garden is a great place to visit whether you’re a keen gardener, seasoned horticulturist or you’re visiting Hampshire and want to explore this hidden gem. Once a private garden for the founder of the John Lewis Partnership, it has been pristeenly maintained and hosts a world class selection of Horticulture. At Longstock Park you will also find a farmshop and café selling local and regional produce (cafe offering a limited offer at present) BOOK.

Information:

• This event is ticket only – there will be no admissions without a ticket which must be shown at the gate.
• There will initially be two sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. Initially dates are offered to the middle of October (only open Thursday and Saturday in October). These sessions are for a 2 hour visit only. The gardens will be open at the beginning of your session and close at the end of the 2 hours.
• Free Parking is available (no coaches) which will be closed 15 minutes after the end of your session.
• There will be limited toilet facilities, and you will be requested to sanitise your hands upon entry to the garden. Current Government social distancing guidelines must be observed at all times. No guided tours will be offered.
• No refreshments are available in the gardens, and no picnics must be consumed in the gardens or car park. There is a very limited food offer at the Longstock Farm shop and Cafe – approximately 5 minutes drive away.
• Assistance dogs only.
• John Lewis Partners staying at Leckford Abbas and Leckford Lodges – there are alternative arrangements – please do not purchase a ticket but contact them for details.

History of the Water Garden

The East family started developing the site now known as Longstock Park Water Garden in the late 1800s. They extracted gravel from the area to make hard roads through the Estate, the resulting works then filled with groundwater from the nearby River Test creating a lake.

In the 1920s the Beddington family purchased Longstock House and its land, they were really keen gardeners and Reginald recognised the potential for a Water Garden. He asked a very famous nursery at the time, Perrys of Enfield, to create a small water garden, so they built streams in and out from the River Test and constructed the lovely thatched summer house which is still in the garden today.

The year 1947 saw John Spedan Lewis purchase Longstock House to add to his Leckford Estate. Founder of the John Lewis Partnership he was a successful businessman, but he had a real passion for natural sciences, particularly horticulture. The Water Garden turned into one of his great personal passions. It was expanded and plants were collected from all over the world as he further developed it until his death.

For any questions please contact [email protected]

For more information about Leckford Estate and what else is on please click here.

 

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From: 01 October 2020 10:00 To : 17 October 2020 15:30
Location: Location Longstock Park Water Gardens (John Lewis Partnership), Longstock Park, Stockbridge, SO20 6EH
Cost: £ 10