A day out at Houghton Lodge Gardens... Exploring, laughing and dodging the rain!


The rain showers didn't deter us as we set off for a magical day of exploring at the beautiful and unique Houghton Lodge Gardens. I totally recommend this place as a family day out, it's one of my favourite local photoshoot locations and it offers something for every age. Not only that, it is also a wedding venue - blogs coming soon on this! One of my absolutes faves.


Houghton Lodge Gardens is a privately owned estate near Stockbridge, which opens it's grounds to the public from April through to the end of October. The Grade II listed house, originally built around 1790 as a fishing lodge (albeit an impressively grand one) overlooks sweeping gardens that roll down to the River Test, Hampshire's famous chalk stream, known for it's trout fishing.


The gardens are perfect for a day out with younger children - big enough to make the map useful but not so big that you can't get around it all comfortably. Our youngest adventurer took his map-reading duties very seriously, navigating the twists and turns with enthusiasm - nobody else was getting their hands on that map! We played hide-and-seek in the 'peacock garden,' searching out the topiary and statues (no real peacocks I'm afraid, although there are real alpacas!!). The walled garden boasts a well and a little fountain as well as a record breaking espaliered pear tree - maybe worth bringing along the green fingered Grandparents too!! I absolutely love the beautiful wrought iron gates set into the brick and flint wall, and some of my favourite photos of the day were the two children peering through to the promise of more to explore on the other side. The weaving paths and hidden corners definitely crated a fairytale vibe for the little ones.


When little legs started to tire, we wandered along the river toward the oriental garden before following the food smells wafting from the Glasshouse Tearooms, a converted greenhouse, decorated with vintage charm, overlooking the walled garden. It was the perfect place to pause for a well-earned coffee and cinnamon bun and more pictures!!


So, why combine a day out like this with a photoshoot?

A family walks together down a garden path bordered by purple flowers and tall grasses on a summer day.

The power of a picture


I'm a passionate believer that the images we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our subconscious thoughts and behaviors. They stir emotions in a way that words sometimes can’t, and for children—who are still developing their understanding of language—this effect is even more pronounced. Photos forge connections in the brain, evoking feelings and an emotional connection that is incredibly powerful. What we see regularly shapes what we are drawn to and what we believe, often at a level we don’t even consciously recognise. 


While conversations and daily experiences help reinforce the values we hold dear, the images in our homes can add an extra layer to this. They serve as a quiet but constant reminder of what matters to us as a family, reflecting the things we cherish and the qualities we want to celebrate in our children. The visual world we create around them can be a subtle, yet meaningful way to shape their sense of self and the values they carry forward.

A joyful pair outdoors among green foliage as one carries the other on shoulders in a garden setting.
A loving embrace shared between two people amidst purple flowers in a lush summer garden.
Young child in a gray sweater stands on a gravel path next to blooming purple lavender flowers holding papers.
Two people share a joyful moment in a garden with purple wildflowers and lush greenery.
Family explores lavender garden together on a gravel path during a sunny afternoon.
Two small children peer through an ornate wrought iron garden gate framed by a brick archway.
A joyful child with raised arms being lifted up outdoors on a sunny day.
Deck chair sits on manicured lawn overlooking English country house with dark storm clouds gathering above.

Grow, explore, connect - a golden thread of core values


At its heart, this collection of images speaks to the value of exploring together and deepening connections with the people we love. The images radiate love, laughter, and shared experience—a collection of moments that will be treasured for years to come, displayed and revisited in stories and conversations.


Let your children see themselves not just as part of a family, but as explorers—curious, engaged, and finding joy in new places. It doesn’t have to be a grand journey or a challenging feat. The most meaningful messages can be woven into the simplest of days spent discovering together: moments of growth, exploration, and connection.


The impact? Children who feel both deeply valued and free to explore. More than just preserving memories, the right photoshoot can help lay the foundations for their sense of belonging, shaping how they see themselves and their place in the world.

Beautiful Victorian cottage with ornate chimneys, white walls, arched conservatory and flowering garden border in England.
Large, sunlit conservatory restaurant interior with exposed wood beams, skylights and comfortable seating arrangements.
Ornate topiary garden features intricate geometric patterns with manicured hedges shaped into spirals and curves.
Three fresh green apples growing on a tree branch with vibrant leaves in natural sunlight.
Espalier fruit trees growing against a stone wall with a neat lawn in the foreground.
A gravel garden pathway lined with blooming purple lavender flowers leads through a tranquil summer garden.
Purple agapanthus flower blooms against exposed brick wall by a white window frame.
Colorful wildflowers and cosmos blooms growing in a lush summer garden with red and white blossoms.

Houghton Lodge Gardens

A beautiful day out

The Glasshouse Tearooms

Coffee, cake and a lot more

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