Porter's Lodge

Porter's Lodge is a garden and tearoom destination on the edge of the village of Cavenham in Suffolk, England. It combines a three-acre designed garden — laid out as a series of garden rooms with architectural structures, fountains and water features in a woodland setting — with a country tearoom that serves cakes, scones and drinks. The gardens were created by Craig Wyncoll and the architect Lionel Stirgess after they moved to Porter's Lodge in 1989, and their work over many years transformed the grounds into what the business now describes as a place of lasting beauty. In 2004 Porter's Lodge was honoured with the title of Britain's Best Back Garden. For many years afterwards the garden opened only once a year in support of charitable causes, before the site began welcoming visitors more regularly. Today Porter's Lodge operates as a small, seasonal hospitality business, opening on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am to 4.00pm, with the kitchen closing at 2.00pm and cakes, scones and drinks served until 3.30pm; last access to the garden is at 3.00pm. Visitors are free to explore the garden at their leisure, passing through gates and doorways to discover features such as a walled garden and fern areas. The business is privately run and is not part of a listed group. Its appeal rests on the combination of a highly regarded private garden and a modest tearoom, marketed under the strapline "A place to wander, savour, and unwind." It is a destination for garden visitors and day-trippers in the Suffolk countryside rather than a multi-site chain.

Porter's Lodge is a garden and tearoom in Cavenham, Suffolk, England. The gardens were created by Craig Wyncoll and the architect Lionel Stirgess when they moved to Porter's Lodge in 1989. Over many years their vision and dedication transformed the grounds into a place of lasting beauty, laid out as a series of garden rooms with architectural structures, fountains and water features in a peaceful woodland setting. In 2004 Porter's Lodge was honoured with the title of Britain's Best Back Garden. For many years after that recognition the garden opened just once a year in support of charitable causes. More recently the site has begun to welcome visitors more regularly, pairing the garden with a country tearoom. The business now opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30am to 4.00pm, with the kitchen closing at 2.00pm and cakes, scones and drinks served until 3.30pm; last access to the garden is at 3.00pm. Visitors are invited to explore the three-acre garden at their leisure, passing through gates and doorways to discover features such as a walled garden and fern areas.

• 2004

  Porter's Lodge is honoured with the title of Britain's Best Back Garden.

• 1989

  Craig Wyncoll and architect Lionel Stirgess move to Porter's Lodge and begin creating the gardens.

• After the award, the garden opens just once a year in support of charitable causes for many years.

• The site begins welcoming visitors more regularly, combining the garden with a country tearoom.

A tranquil garden-and-tearoom retreat in the Suffolk countryside, known for its award-winning private garden.

• Three-acre designed garden

  A series of garden rooms with architectural structures, fountains and water features in a woodland setting.

• Country tearoom

  Serves cakes, scones and drinks; kitchen closes at 2.00pm and service continues until 3.30pm.

1. 1Porters Lodge Garden and Tearoom - Cavenham, Suffolkporterslodge.co.uk
2. 2Porter's Lodgewikidata.org