Hampshire Historic Houses

Avington House

Palladian mansion with state rooms open to visitors. Picnic site in Itchen valley, with view of Avington House. Attractive local walks, open at all times

Winchester  SO21 1DB  Tel: 01962 779260  Email

Basing House

Hampshire's most exciting historic ruin was once the country's largest private house, the palace of the powerful courtier William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester.

Redbridge Lane Basing Basingstoke  RG24 7HB   Tel: 01256 467294

Beaulieu

At the heart of William the Conqueror's New Forest on the banks of the Beaulieu River, where the former Abbey lands now enclose beautiful gardens and parkland, stands Palace House, once the Great Catehouse of Beaulieu Abbey- The family home of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, the house contains splendid rooms full of fine portraits, pictures, furniture, family memorabilia and photographs. The medieval Abbey ruins are extensive, impressive and atmospheric. The surviving monastic buildings huuse an absorbing exhibition about its history and the life of worship lived there by the monks; the former refectory is now the pretty parish church.

Aso on the site is the world-renowned National Motor museum with its priceless collection of over 250 vehicles, including World Land Speed Record Breakers Bluebird and Golden Arrow. The James Bond Experience features genuine cars, boats and gadgets used in the  007 films.

John Montagu Building, Beaulieu  SO42 7ZN  Tel: 01590 612345   Email

Breamore House

A large Elizabethan house, set in beautiful parkland

Breamore, Fordingbridge, SP6 2DF  Tel: 01725 512233 Email

Broadlands

Home of the late Lord Mountbatten and famous for royal honeymoons, Broadlands is an elegant Palladian Mansion set in beautifully landscaped grounds, which remain a tribute to the genius of Lancelot "Capability" Brown. Situated on the banks of the River Test, visitors may view the interior of the House containing fine works of art including several Van Dycks and furniture designed by Henry Holland. The Mountbatten Exhibition traces the eventful lives of Lord and Lady Mountbatten.

Romsey SO51 9ZD Tel: 01794 505010   Email

Charles Dicken's Birthplace

Restored, decorated and furnished in the Regency style appropriate to his birth.

393 Old Commercial Road Portsmouth PO1 4QL Tel: (0)23 9282 7261   Email

Gilbert White's House

Charming 18th century house and garden, home of naturalist Gilbert White.

Selborne, Alton, GU34 3JH Tel: 01420 511275

Hinton Ampner 

An Elegant country house with highly distinctive gardens and an outstanding collection of furniture , paintings and objet d'art

Bramdean, Nr Arlesford  SO24 0LA  Tel: 01962 771305  Email


Houghton Lodge

An 18 Century  Grade ΙΙ Listed  Gothic Cottage Orné, idyllically set above the tranquil waters of the River Test.   The House is set in extensive grounds, with fine trees and lawns  sweeping down to the banks of the River

Stockbridge  SO20 6LQ  Tel:  01264 810502    Email

 
Jane Austen's House

Home of Jane Austen with many mementoes recording her life and writings.

Chawton, alton,  GU34 1SD  Tel: 01420 83262   Email

Medieval Merchants House 

Expertly restored award-winning timber-framed house, originally home of a wine merchant. Refurnished to recreate a 13th century town house and shop.

58 French Street, Southampton  SO1 0AT  Tel: 02380 221503

Somerley

A stately home nestling in 7000 acres of Hampshire and Dorset has been the family domain for the Normantons since 1825. Lord Normanton recognised the need to commercialise his home to ensure he would pass it onto his son and heir, Viscount James Somerton in future years

Somerley, Ringwood BH24 3PL  Tel: 01425  480819   Email

Stansted Park

A beautiful house surrounded by serene parkland

Stansted Park Rowlands Castle  PO9 6DX  Tel:  023 9241 2265   Email

The Vyne 

Built in the early 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII’s Lord Chamberlain, the house acquired a classical portico in the mid-17th century (the first of its kind in England) and contains a fascinating Tudor chapel with Renaissance glass, a Palladian staircase and a wealth of old panelling and fine furniture. The attractive grounds feature herbaceous borders and a wild garden, with lawns, lakes, one of the earliest summer houses and woodland walks

Sherbourne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL  Tel:01256 883858  Email