Imagine taking all of your favourite vintage décor, furniture and all, out into your garden and having a decadent tea party, filled with sounds from your Roberts radio. Well then you’ve imagined a visit to The Secret Garden in Brockenhurst, a delightful little find tucked away behind The Watersplash Hotel.

Enter through the garden gate to find tables set with fresh flowers in jam jars, garden games and a gazebo set out like the perfect vintage living room…fireplace and all! Bunting hangs from the gazebo ceiling above comfy armchairs, a selection of board games and books about tea and cake.

It’s not just all about the styling here though – a huge selection of teas, sandwiches, homemade cakes, and ice cream make up the delicious menu. I can highly recommend the afternoon tea – served with sandwiches, buttered crumpets, and a selection of cakes, it’s simply amazing! And if it’s too much then they’ll kindly pack it up for you to take home and enjoy later!

This local retreat is only open in the summer months, and only when the sun shines so make sure you catch it while you can before it’s gone again!

Image by Karen Wyatt