With special thanks to the Loudon family for opening their gardens for us in aid of the Bramston Bursary Foundation.

Join us for a delightful day out at Tichborne House. Gather your family and friends, bring your own picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon exploring the stunning gardens. As you wander through the grounds, you'll discover an array of beautiful plants, elegant landscaping, and picturesque views.

To sweeten the experience, your ticket includes a complimentary slice of delicious cake and a free drink of your choice. It's the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones.

So why not pack your favourite sandwiches and join us for the Garden Open Day at Tichborne House? 

Ticket prices

Adults: £12          Children 5-18: £5          Under 5s: FREE

This is an event for the St Swithun's School community, but you are very welcome to bring extended family and close friends. Please include the names of all your party in your ticket purchase so we can check you in at the gate. This system will be used instead of sending out paper tickets.

Further information

The garden at Tichborne House is mostly flat and wheelchair accessible, although some paths may be uneven and there are various water hazards, including a moat, river, and swimming pool. Visitors are responsible for their own safety, and children should be accompanied at all times.

For convenience, there will be a WC available on site.

A professional photographer will be present, and images may be shared on social media. However, if you do not wish to be photographed, please inform the volunteers who will be manning the entry gate.

To locate Tichborne House, please use the postcode SO24 0NA or the what3words reference cubed.footsteps.became. The entry is from the B3046 on the Alresford to Cheriton Road.

The garden at Tichborne House

The Tichborne family have lived on this site beside the river Itchen since the 12th century. They have a fascinating history - there’s a Catholic martyr; Chidiock Tichborne, a lost at sea heir; Sir Roger Tichborne and his impersonator; Arthur Orton known as the Tichborne Claimant, whose trial gripped Victorian society. Then there’s the Tichborne Dole, the giving of flour to locals, which still continues on 25 March each year and was instigated by the charitable Lady Mabella Tichborne in the 13th century.

The bones of the garden may be rooted in this history with a large house containing a private chapel beside a moat, ancient trees and Victorian out buildings but the essence of the garden is progressive and created almost entirely over the last 20 years. An original plan by Michele Hickman for an area around the moat has been tinkered with, extended and adapted over the years. More hedges have been planted and core structural shapes have been integrated to give the perennials and grasses a backdrop and winter interest. Seed is left to settle and the sinuous bed shapes are in direct response to the surrounding rolling hills and curvaceous boundary hedges visible from the house.

There is a fully productive walled kitchen garden with cut flower beds, fruit trees and vegetables plus a rickety greenhouse. Outside this walled garden you will find an orchard and berry cage. The garden is very much a work in progress and a private family space, so we are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to visit.  

The Bramston Bursary Foundation

Proceeds from this event will go to the Bramston Bursary Foundation. The foundation supports young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds with fully funded boarding places at St Swithun's, to find out more, visit our Bramston Bursary Foundation page.