Ever since William the Conqueror ordered the New Forest to be planted, English Kings have hunted across the vast acres of heath and woodland.

To accommodate the numerous attendants a series of hunting lodges were built and the garden of Fritham Lodge, erected for Charles 1, will be open tomorrow.

For 15 years the Grade II listed 17th century house has been home to Christopher and Rosie Powell who have worked to re-create the garden in the original style.

Formal planting in the one-acre walled garden surrounding the house reflects the elegance of Stuart England.

Box hedging, which was around the garden when they moved in, has been re-planted to frame a parterre of old roses with an under planting of pen-stamons and silver-leafed plants.

A wooden rose arch was cut down after it started to rot and replaced by metal frames supporting clouds of blossom.

Standard white Iceberg roses line the potager where espalier apple trees, whose fruit ripens in succession from the lawn end, shelter the vegetables.

Tucked away in one corner is the herb garden where the grav-el path is completely hidden under mint, coriander, lemon balm and fennel.

An avenue of pleached lime trees makes a shady walk from the drive to the garden. Nearby is a walnut tree planted to replace one that died. Against the far wall a blue and white border where about 35 different plants blend together in soft tones.

Adjoining, is a paved area with a pond and stone seat overhung with a profusion of pink roses. Confessed Mr Powell: "I planted the rose but can't remember what it is."

Roses are a feature of the garden with rampant Rambling Rector scaling the walls and roof of the house and white Kiftsgate clambering over the roof of the outbuildings.

At one end of the croquet lawn a brick-pillared pergola makes a scented spot to sit with honey-suckle and roses overhead and camomile tucked among the paving stones.

The long herbaceous border travels the length of the lawn and can boast at least 50 different species of plants. An attractive copper beech helps to add colour and form to this part of the garden.

Almost hidden in the border is a stone urn which mirrors one at the opposite end of the pathway. The front of the house has a spring border that is full of rhododendrons early in the year and now has a fine display of lupins. An unusual pond, believed to be Edwardian, forms a centrepiece.

Mr Powell joked: "I think it was made from an Edwardian do-it-yourself kit."

High on the wall above the main door a fire back, found during excavations by a previous owner, announces the date of the house - 1635.

At the back of the house hellebores fill the winter border while the autumn border contains Japanese anemones that flower in late summer.

Visitors can also enjoy the several rare breeds of hen and Daisy, the elderly donkey, who was inherited with the property.

Outside the formal garden a path through hay meadows leads to a woodland walk with a stream set in the remaining 18 acres of the estate.

Fritham Lodge, Fritham, between Stoney Cross and Brook, is open for the National Gardens Scheme tomorrow 2pm-5pm. Admission £3 (children free). Teas.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.