Trip: Longstock Water Gardens & Houghton

Friday 5th June 2026

Roses climbing into a tree

Coach Trip – Fully booked, waiting list open

Price: £38 or incl tea/coffee & homemade biscuits £41.50.

Visit two outstanding and contrasting Hampshire gardens near Romsey, with lunch stop in Stockbridge, known for its independent shops and cafés.

Longstock Water Garden, part of the John Lewis Partnership’s Leckford Estate, is widely regarded as one of the finest water gardens in the world. Its seven acres feature 16 small islands linked by wooden bridges. In June, drifts of moisture-loving perennials appear alongside early water lilies and many notable trees including swamp cypress and redwoods.
Houghton Lodge Gardens, set above the River Test around an 18th-century Cottage Orné, is at its best in early June. Highlights include a 350-foot herbaceous border, a rose and clematis arbour lined with scented peonies, herb and kitchen gardens, riverside walks with alpacas and Hebridean sheep, and much more.
Access: Longstock – mostly flat gravel paths; care needed on wooden bridges (slippery when wet). Houghton – mainly flat ground in main gardens. Some steeper areas, steps and uneven ground beyond. Seating: throughout both gardens; some sheltered areas at Houghton Lodge.
Possible to have tea/coffee & homemade biscuits at the Glasshouse Café at Houghton Lodge. Must be pre-booked as the café is unable to cater for large groups on the day.
Bookings Open – 20th March at 9.00am

To be added to the waitlist

Please email events@emshs.org.uk with the names and membership numbers of those you wish to book for.
You will then receive an email confirming whether your place(s) can be reserved.
If you have not received confirmation within 24 hrs, please call Sarah Furness on 01243 430564.

Once your place(s) have been reserved

● Make payment as soon as possible
● Email the mobile telephone number plus an emergency contact number (ICE) for each person attending. Also state if you are paying extra for the tea/coffee option at Houghton.

Reservations are held for 48 hours if paying by BACS, or until the next post if paying by cheque. After this time, unconfirmed places may need to be released.
We will email you to confirm receipt of payment.

Payment details:
Payment by BACS (is preferred)
● Account Name: Emsworth Horticultural Society
● Sort Code: 52-41-20
● Account No: 87039869
● Reference: Your surname (and trip name if space allows)

Payment by cheque
If paying by cheque, please notify the trip organiser.
● Make cheques payable to The Emsworth Horticultural Society. Include a note with your contact details and the name(s) of those being paid for.
● Date your cheque the day you send it, as payments to venues are made in advance.
● Post to: EHS Treasurer, Rob Turner, 25 Slipper Rd, Emsworth, PO10 8BS

Click on the orange link below for Bookings Terms & Conditions:
https://emshs.org.uk/events/trips-ml.php
Your contact details will be used only for the purposes of organising this trip. Please see our Privacy Policy for further information