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Garden Owners,
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Armchair Travel Co Ltd
http://www.armchair-travel.com
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Garden Name: Longstock Park Water Gardens
Last Modified: 10/02/2010
Garden ID: 0032

pic: 0032_longstockparkwater.jpg

Owner: Mr David Stuart
Address:
Longstock
Stockbridge

Postcode: SO20 6EH
County: Hampshire

tel: 01264 810894
fax: 
website: www.longstockpark.co.uk
email: 

Features: 


English Heritage Grade:


Opening Times:
1st & 3rd Sunday of every month Apr - Sept inclusive; 2pm - 5pm. (open on behalf of a charity)
Longstock Park Nursery: All year; Mon - Sat; 8.30am - 4.30pm; Mar - Oct; Sun ; 11am - 5pm. 1st Nov - 28th Feb; Sun; 11am - 4pm

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
May - June
July - August

To see: 
Azaleas, rhododendrons
Water lilies

National Collection: 
Buddleja and Clematis Viticella.

National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Book four weeks in advance, afternoon teas can be made available at Longstock Park Nursery. To make a booking please call 01264 810904. 

House Open for Viewing: No
Comments: 

Admission Prices:
Adult £5; Child (under 16) £1. All proceeds go to charity concerned; see own website for list
There is a minimum charge of £40 per visit for a group

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: Yes
Lunches: No
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: No
Dogs allowed: No
Only on Lead: No
Events: No

Other Facilities:
Guide dogs only.


Designer: 
Description of Garden:
The River Test, flowing nearby, feeds this exquisite seven acre water garden. The winding paths and little bridges taking the visitor from island to island, reveal wonderful collections of water irises, lilies, astilbes, primulas and many other water-loving plants. The walled garden features herbaceous borders, a rose pergola and the collection of clematis viticella. There is also a six acre arboretum. On request, the National Collection of buddleias with over 100 varieties may be visited.


History: 
The main lake came into being by accident. In 1870, Alfred and Arthur East, the owners of Longstock House, dredged gravel from the banks of the River Test in order to build a private road to the property, creating the lake in the process.
When the Easts sold the Longstock Estate in 1914, Reginald Beddington, the son of the new owner, decided to make an aesthetic feature of the water. In the 1920's, it was channelled into a central canal flanked by two small lakes and the margins were planted with perennial beds.

The water garden you see now, however, was only created after John Spedan Lewis acquired the estate in 1946. With the help of botanist Terry Jones, whose keen eye for colour was invaluable when it came to selecting inspired combinations of plants, Spedan Lewis began an ambitious plan of redevelopment. He trebled the garden in size, adding a wealth of detail to the main lake with promontories, islands and bridges. The water-logged soil meant all the work had to be done by hand, and it was ten long years before the project was completed.

Longstock's head water gardener, Jim Saunders - originally Spedan Lewis's butler - organised the digging and the garden remained under his stewardship until his retirement in 1983. Today there is still a strong sense of continuity: despite some damage caused by the storms of 1987 and 1990, much of Spedan Lewis's original concept remains unchanged.

Local Inns: 
Peat Spade, Longstock
Mayfly, Testcombe
White Hart, Stockbridge

Accomodation: 
Three Cups, Stockbridge

Restaurants: 
Peat Spade, Longstock
Game Larder, Stockbridge
Mayfly, Testcombe

Village/Town/Sightseeing: