Opening
We are delighted to announce that we were able to reopen the Garden and the Honesty Tearoom from 12th April 2021. We will remain vigilant and follow all measures set by Public Health England.
As a 14-acre garden with lots of open space it is the perfect place to relax and unwind while maintaining social distancing from other visitors. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Pre-Booking Information
The Government suggest that we have an online booking system with a timed entry slot in order to control our entries. This is very important for us to try and manage the social distancing guidelines.
Discounted Entries
We are open to Historic House Association and RHS members. Please buy your ticket online-we have set up a special member ticket for you. Please bring your card to show the tearoom staff and sign the spreadsheet in the usual way-bring your own writing utensil.
The Honesty Tearoom
The Honesty tearoom will be open for people who wish to take refreshments without access to the garden.
Booking
Visitors will be asked to book an arrival time slot at the time of purchasing to allow us to maintain social distancing guidelines.
There will be no entry to the garden without a pre booked online ticket however if you are unable to access technology then you can visit the tearoom and pay to go round the gardens in the tearoom.
You can stay at the gardens for as long as you wish up until shortly before 5.00pm when the car park gates will be locked.
The booking system ensures we can restrict and control numbers on site. Tickets are on a first come first served basis. All children under 16 will need a ticket.
Track and Trace: please note that at the point of booking you will be required to provide contact details to enable government tracing in the event of a Covid outbreak. This information will be provided to a government representative following a specific request for this purpose only and will be destroyed after 21 days.
On the day of your visit you will need to bring your online booking confirmation. Please have this ready for checking. If you do not receive an email confirmation please note down your booking reference number, date and time of visit and bring this along – a screenshot of your booking confirmation is also acceptable.
Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please do not call us to make your reservation.
Please try not to miss your timed entry slot but if you do, come along as soon as you can. Tickets are only valid on the day you have booked for.
If you have difficulty with accessing technology then you can pay in the tearoom. We will display the NHS QR code poster so that those with the app can scan in, or you can complete the Track and Trace slip in the tearoom and leave in the green box which is emptied daily.
A map of the garden is available to download and will help you plan your visit as well as assist with navigating around the garden safely. Maps are also available in the tearoom.
The Summer House and Conservatory are closed to the public but they are available to hire in the evening for a private family or bubble party. Please email info@houghtonlodge.co.uk to enquire.
Recommendations & Requirements
- We recommend keeping a distance of 2 metres (or 1 meter+ if other measures, such as face coverings, are in place) from other people (outside of your household) when you are visiting Houghton Lodge Gardens.
- Visitors are encouraged to bring their own face covering and wear it if social distancing cannot be maintained. Face coverings must be worn in the tearoom.
- We would also encourage visitors to bring their own anti-bacterial wipes.
- Children will need to take extra care around other people and should be closely monitored to maintain social distancing.
- Please can we request that visitors maintain the original 2 metre social distancing around contractors, volunteers and members of staff as some are in the vulnerable category.
- We kindly ask that you do not visit if you are feeling unwell.
- In addition to the above, we advise visitors to follow the NHS guidelines on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.
Special Safety Measures
The safety and wellbeing of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance and we will be taking all necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare of everyone working at and visiting Houghton Lodge Gardens.
- Daily visitor numbers are monitored and capped if necessary.
- We have opened up both sides of the car park to allow plenty of space when parking your car. When arriving please remember to social distance when getting in and out of your car.
- Queue markings are provided from the car park to the entrance, in order to maintain social distancing guidelines. There may be a queue for you to join, please follow the signs.
- A sanitising station will be located inside the tearoom. We ask that all visitors use hand sanitiser when they arrive.
- One-way systems are in place for arrival at the entrance, in the Honesty Tearoom and Orangery, as well as in the Walled Garden and Peacock Garden. We have kept signage to a minimum and we request that visitors are respectful of others and maintain social distancing whilst in the garden.
- In the Walled Garden we have a one-way system through the Rose Arch with the small gate at the East end as the entrance and the central gate as an exit to the Walled Garden. Otherwise visitors are asked to use their discretion to ensure social distancing.
- All gates will be left open. Any gates you may need to touch please use your own anti-bacterial wipes.
- Where possible we have widened paths in the outer garden.
- Benches and seating have been spaced out to avoid areas becoming overpopulated. Please note that although these will be cleaned by us, it won’t be on a per-use basis. Visitors may wish to bring their own antibacterial wipes to clean benches and seating before use.
- Picnics are not allowed in the garden. You are welcome to picnic by your car. Please take all your rubbish home with you.
- The Orchid House: There is signage to encourage a ‘one-in-one-out’ system or one family at a time.
- The Summer House, Conservatory and Grotto are all closed to the public.
- We are not able to loan out the wheelchair or walking sticks at this time.
- A First Aid kit is provided at the reception area.
Toilet Facilities
- Social distancing markers are provided outside the toilet to encourage social distancing.
- We are cleaning and disinfecting the toilets more often than usual and staff will complete a regular cleaning rota.
We will continue to monitor the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and will follow the guidelines set by Public Health England. While we have taken all reasonable care to follow government COVID-19 safety guidelines, visitors enter at their own risk.
