“A place to wander, savour, and unwind.”
Current Opening Times:
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Kitchen closes at 2pm with cakes, scones and drinks served until 2.30pm
Welcome to Porters Lodge
Tucked away in the Suffolk countryside, Porters Lodge is a haven of tranquillity where beautifully designed gardens meet the warmth of a country tearoom. Situated on the edge of the village of Cavenham, the gardens were created by Craig Wyncoll and architect Lionel Stirgess when they moved to Porters Lodge in 1989. Their vision and dedication over many years has transformed the grounds into a place of lasting beauty.
In 2004, Porters Lodge was honoured with the title of Britain’s Best Back Garden, and for many years opened just once a year in support of charitable causes. Today, we are delighted to share this much-loved retreat more regularly, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy its charm throughout the seasons.
Visitors are welcome to explore the three-acre garden which features a series of garden rooms and delightful architectural structures, fountains and magical water features, all in a peaceful woodland setting.
Views of the Gardens And Tearoom
Our gallery offers a window into the gardens at Porters Lodge, set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. Here you can enjoy a taste of the colours, textures and peaceful corners that make this place so special. From sweeping borders to hidden pathways, each image reflects the care and creativity poured into the gardens over many years.
Photo credit: Chris Madden
Visiting the Gardens
The gardens are completely open for you to explore at your leisure. If you find a gate or doorway in front of you feel free to go through as there are hidden surprises to discover – a walled garden, fern house, fountains and architectural gems.
- Garden Entry: £5 per person
- Annual Pass: £20 for unlimited entry during tearoom opening times
- Children under 18: Free entry with a paying adult
- Parking: Free on site
AT THE TEAROOM
Our comfortable tearoom serves a seasonal selection of light breakfasts and lunches, freshly baked cakes, scones, sandwiches, teas, coffees, and cold drinks. Menus change daily. If you have specific dietary requirements, please contact us before your visit.
- Kitchen Hours: 10am – 2pm
- Drinks and cakes: Served until 30 minutes before close time
- No booking required to enjoy the tearoom.
- Menu items change daily.
Sample Menu
Our menu changes daily depending on what’s fresh and seasonal, but here’s a taste of what you might find in the tearoom.
Breakfast and Light Bites
- Sausage baps
- Scrambled eggs on toast & smoked salmon
- Mustardy Welsh Rarebit
- Cheese scone, butter, cream cheese & homemade relish
Lunch
- Homemade quiche served with garden salad
- Seasonal soup of the day with warm bread
- Sandwiches on farmhouse bread (egg & cress, cheddar & chutney, ham & mustard, smoked salmon & cream cheese, prawn & crab, coronation chicken
- Porters Pork Pie Platter with Homemade Potato Salad
Cakes & Treats
- Cream Teas – fruit scone with cream, jam & butter
- Victoria sponge
- Coffee & walnut cake
- Lemon drizzle
- Chocolate brownie
Drinks
- Selection of speciality teas
- Freshly ground coffee
- Hot chocolate
- Chilled soft drinks
Useful Information
Garden Admission – Entry is £5 per person, or you may choose an annual pass for £20, allowing unlimited visits throughout the tearoom’s opening times.
Family Visits – Children under 18 are welcome to explore the gardens free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.
Free Parking – Complimentary parking is available on site for all our visitors.
Seasonal Menus – Our tearoom menu changes regularly to reflect the season and availability. If you have specific dietary requirements, please get in touch before your visit so we can accommodate you.
Booking – There’s no need to reserve a table – simply arrive and enjoy the gardens and tearoom at your leisure.
Food Policy – We kindly ask that guests refrain from bringing outside food or drink into the gardens or tearoom.
Dogs – Four-legged friends on leads are very welcome to join you as you explore.
Payments – Both cash and card payments are accepted.
Accessibility – While much of the garden is accessible for wheelchair users, please note that a few areas have limited access due to the natural layout of the grounds.
Toilets – A unisex, accessible toilet is available for all visitors to use.
Working Garden – Porters Lodge remains a living, working garden. You may see our gardeners tending to the grounds during your visit – they’re always happy to pause for a friendly chat about the plants.
“Relax, explore, and stay a while.”
Getting Here
Porters Lodge Gardens & Tea Room
Icknield Way, Cavenham, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6DB
From Bury St Edmunds
(approx. 10–15 mins’ drive)
- Take the A143 / A1101 heading northwest out of Bury St Edmunds.
- At the junction just past Cavenham take the turning toward Icknield Way.
- Continue along Icknield Way until you reach our entrance.
There’s a small car-park just off Icknield Way, with overflow spaces on the roadside
From nearby villages
- Once you’re close to Cavenham, look for signposting to Icknield Way.
- Follow Icknield Way straight in toward Porters Lodge.
- Turn off into the driveway / access track for our gardens & tea room.
If the small car park at the entrance is full, you can use the overflow spaces by the side of the road.