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Ferns Lodge

Bustling, 4 acre wildlife garden filled with scent, colour and mature trees inc ½ acre cottage garden around a Victorian lodge, full of sweet peas, foxgloves, clematis, roses, agapanthus and salvia. Brick paths wind through this garden with plentiful seating areas, perfect for a cup of tea. The large garden is in restoration with a Woodpecker greenhouse, tree ferns, masses of new planting and 3D art.

Owner Info

Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge
Ferns Lodge

About Ferns Lodge

Ferns Lodge garden is home to a plethora of wildlife from bat, to fox, to badger to toad, and birds abound. Totally natural, you will find no sprays or weed killers here to disturb them in their home.

The Lodge house is surrounded by a half acre cottage garden which has been landscaped with brick paths, a handsome terrace, gazebo and lovely double baked brick paths. The bottom barn has a sedum roof and there is a very pretty summer house – in active use as an office. The planting is traditional and a riff on what does well – iris, foxglove hydrangea, fig, rhododendron, azalea, salvia, tree fern and camelia. Poppies, and sweet peas abound and of roses there are many.

Beyond the cottage garden gates lie 3½ acres of Victorian garden that lay slumbering and seen only by the badger, bats and weasels for over 50 years until it was added to the garden in 2012. With a perimeter of English oaks, and a circle of holm oaks as well as a collection of mighty monterey pines which are home to a treehouse, progress is slow but delightful. Peeling back the laurel and briars, and clearing away some builders’ rubbish from many years ago, there have been many delightful surprises, the best of which is definitely the cork oak which is now starting to thrive with light and air.

Once a formal garden, it is now much more informal and is morphing into a charming woodland garden full of habitat areas and fallen trunks left to create food and homes for the wildlife that lives there. Our bees are doing a terrific job to pollinate and bring this old garden back to life. It is all about light touch and hanging onto the tranquillity of this lovely old place. 2020 saw a clearance in the bottom meadow and new planting as a precursor for a woodland walk through the centre of the garden.

A massive job has been the creation of a new vegetable garden, now taking shape. There is now a large vegetable and fruit area, covered against the throng of wildlife that share this place, a poly tunnel and Dan’s Wall – a ruined wall that formed part of the greenhouses built for the Victorians who gardened here long before us. 2023 saw the building of a Woodpecker red cedar greenhouse in the style of the original Messanger Victorian greenhouses. To go with it is a new 4,500 litre sweet water tank sunk into the ground beneath to nourish the planting. There is still much to do and 2 new shrubberies cleared and planted in 2022 and 2023 are starting to establish from ruin of past gardeners – we have a head start with 2 amazing tree rhododendrons planted over 100 years ago. We lost one of our ring of mighty holm oaks in the spring of 2023 so a new circle has been planted to take over in the far future.

We are looking forward to opening in 2024 and we hope that you will enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this secret garden at the bottom of a small and winding lane. The winter projects we hope will be completed before your visit and you will see just a little more of what the place will one day become.

Kick back, relax and breathe – and the garden will breathe with you. Whilst you are with us, please venture to the top garden to try some of our delicious home-made scones and a cup of rather good tea – or more should you wish. All baked by the Ferns Lodge team, with care, for your enjoyment.

Private visits are so very welcome from April to August in the early evening in the cool of the day with nibbles, wine, beer and soft drinks for the drivers amongst us. There is a restriction on 5 cars, not people.

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Location details

Ferns Lodge,
Lymington,
Hampshire,
SO41 0FE

Directions to Ferns Lodge
From Silver St turn into Woodcock Ln, 100 metres to Cottagers Ln, parking in field by opp garden. From A337 turn into Everton Rd & drive approx 1½m, Cottagers Ln on R.

Ferns Lodge openings

This garden has now completed its National Garden Scheme openings for this year.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access to many areas.
  • Share this garden

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FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Sorry, there is no available parking for coaches at Ferns Lodge at this time.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Ferns Lodge. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Ferns Lodge, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Ferns Lodge are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Ferns Lodge seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.