Explore Hampshire’s National Trust Sites on Your New Forest Break
Have you discovered the National Trust sites in Hampshire? Blue skies, sun-kissed mornings, blossoming buds and golden afternoons, spring is arguably the best time to visit the National Trust’s beautiful and historically significant houses, gardens and grounds. From elegant country manor houses and historical landmarks to magnificent protected coastal and countryside landscapes, there are beautiful ancient treasures for you to discover in and around Hampshire during your New Forest break.
One National Trust site in Hampshire that appears to have it all is Mottisfont; a romantic house with riverside gardens, space to roam and a fascinating art collection. Make it a perfect weekend break in the New Forest with a 30-minute drive from our hotel to nearby Romsey to explore the 18th-century house, medieval priory and grounds.
Once home to art patron and 1930s socialite, Maud Russell, Mottisfont was transformed into a hub of creativity, a place for artists to visit and feel inspired. Today, this tradition continues, with its ‘permanent 20th-century art collection and major exhibitions’ in the top-floor gallery.
For visitors who love to explore historic houses, The Vyne near Basingstoke is about an hour’s drive from our Hampshire hotel. A wonderful blend of history, gardens and parkland, you are invited to wander around the impressive house that was once a Tudor palace with grand rooms like The Great Hall, Library and Drawing room to discover, as well as the pre-Reformation chapel and Tudor Oak Gallery.
Explore servants’ quarters and state rooms, then step outside to stroll along the lakeside path, see the 17-century summerhouse and the great 600-year-old oak tree – just a little of what The Vyne has to offer.
The garden-lovers among you won’t want to miss a visit to Hinton Ampner; approximately a 45-minute drive from our new Forest hotel, there are 12 acres to see, including the walled garden, the water garden, wildflower meadows and the manicured lawns of the great house with avenues of sculptured topiary and colourful borders guiding you to breathtaking views across the South Downs. The house, which was rebuilt in the 1960s after a fire, is certainly worth exploring, even just to take in the views, but particularly for the exquisite art and ceramics collection.
Stop in at the café before you leave, you’ll find it in the old stable block, one of the oldest buildings on the estate.
Just under an hour from our Hampshire hotel, visit the world-renowned Sandham Memorial Chapel near Newbury. Here you will find an unassuming red-brick building built in the memory of Lieutenant Henry Willoughby Sandham, who died in during World War I.
This chapel is home to an unexpected treasure – a collection of murals painted by war artist Stanley Spencer ‘to honour the ‘forgotten dead’ of the First World War, who were not remembered on any official memorials.’ The series, painted in oil, cover the three chapel walls depicting the everyday activities of war and took Spencer six years to complete.
As well as the chapel, there is a walk around the village, encouraging visitors to walk “In Spencer’s Footsteps”.
As well as impressive properties and grounds, the National Trust looks after commons and countryside; within Hampshire that includes New Forest Northern Commons, Bramshaw, Foxbury, Hale Purlieu, Hightown, Rockford and Ibsley.
Stockbridge Down is one of those areas of countryside owned and cared for by the National Trust; a chalk downland with spectacular views across the Test Valley, it holds areas of archaeological significance and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, particularly for its rare and biodiverse habitat.
Steeped in history, it’s home to 14 Scheduled Ancient Monuments such as Bronze Age burial mounds and an Iron Age hillfort known as Woolbury Ring, whilst also being the ideal environment for more than 40 butterfly species to thrive, including rarer species: Chalk-hill Blue, Marbled White, and Adonis Blue.
No matter whether you wish to simply wander the grounds and gardens or just stop for tea and cake in the cafes; collect the scenic views or step back in history and learn about beautifully preserved homes, palaces and medieval chapels – there’s a National Trust site in Hampshire to suit any kind of fay out. Support the conservation efforts, get involved and learn more about cultural and natural heritage and enjoy relaxing and memorable experiences during your New Forest break with us this spring.
