Skip to content

Forest Lodge

3 acre mature garden with beautiful lake, full of bulbs and flowering trees. Many camellias and rhododendrons from March till May. Lovely views towards Blackmore Vale. Part formal with pleached hornbeam allée and rill, part water garden. Wonderful roses in June. Unusual spring flowering trees such as paulownia, Davidia involucrata and many beautiful cornus. Interesting garden sculpture.

Owner Info

Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge
Forest Lodge

About Forest Lodge

A garden for all seasons. Created on the same spit of greensand as Stourhead, we are lucky in that many rare plants and flowering trees enjoy the soil and weather. We are blessed with the ‘S”s – Sunny, South Facing and Sloping so that the garden can be viewed from above and below and the drama of the terraces can be enjoyed. Around the house there are more formal beds and a beautiful orchard leads you through to a peaceful hornbeam allee with an obelisk. The lake is surrounded with dramatic planting of gunnera and other large leaved species as well as flowering trees such as corylopsis spicata, hammamelis and cornus. From October to May, there are wonderful camellias and rhododendrons and in the summer, hydrangeas of all types. In September there is a whole new colour palette. Under the lake, a microclimate of early flowering bulbs and bluebells emerge from a carpet of wild garlic. Even at quiet times of the year, such as August there are wonderful trees flowering such as Eucryphia and Hoheria
Do try the famous carrot cake made by Samantha Ross from Lavender Blue Bakery (also available from Fortnum & Mason!).

Location details

Forest Lodge,
Pen Selwood,
Somerset,
BA9 8LL

Directions to Forest Lodge
Leave A303 at B3081 (Wincanton to Gillingham road), up hill to Pen Selwood, L towards church. ½m, garden on L - low curved wall and yellow NGS signs.

Forest Lodge openings

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas. Lavender blue famous carrot cake, brownies & flapjacks. Refreshments in aid of Mental Health Charities in Somerset.
Admission Adult: £10.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:00-15:00

For this open day you can book your tickets in advance. Click on the yellow button below to book or you can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Home-made teas. Lavender blue famous carrot cake, brownies & flapjacks. Refreshments in aid of Mental Health Charities in Somerset.
Admission Adult: £10.00
Child: Free
Opening times 10:00-16:00

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access to front garden only, however much of garden viewable from there.
  • Share this garden

Other Gardens of Potential Interest

Don’t miss out

Sign up to our weekly newsletter to hear more about the gardens opening for the National Garden Scheme, events and activities throughout the year

Sign up to our newsletter

FAQs

Yes, cashless payment is accepted.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Forest Lodge. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Forest 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 Forest Lodge, please enquire with the owners for more details.

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

Yes. Forest 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.