Mottisfont Abbey
National Trust
| |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
---|---|
Official name | Mottisfont Abbey House |
Designated | 29 May 1957 |
Reference no. | 1093730 |
National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens | |
Official name | Abbey, Mottisfont |
Designated | 31 May 1984 |
Reference no. | 1000864 |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | Walled garden 250 m north west of Mottisfont Abbey |
Designated | 11 April 1986 |
Reference no. | 1339147 |
Mottisfont Abbey is a historical
History
Priory
Fertile land and a plentiful water supply attracted the first settlers. The site's name comes from a spring ("
Struck by the Black Death, the initially prosperous priory suffered from the mid-14th century onwards. Its landholdings included the church at Berwick St James, Wiltshire.[4]
House
During the
In the 18th century, the old monastic cloisters and Tudor courtyard were demolished by the Mill family, creating the modern appearance of the house's
It was at this time that the owners added "Abbey" to the name of the house rather than the more historically correct "Priory". The National Trust speculates that the name was considered to be more romantic.[5] Under Sir John Barker Mill, in the early 19th century, the estate became a centre for hunting, shooting and fishing, and a new stable block was built.[5] The last decades of the 19th century saw Mottisfont let to wealthy banker Daniel Meinertzhagen under eccentric terms that forbade the installation of electric light or central heating. The ten Meinertzhagen children included Daniel and Richard, who built aviaries for their collection of eagles, hawks, owls and ravens. Richard wrote detailed diaries about his childhood and growing interest in the natural world.[6]
20th century
The arrival of Maud and Gilbert Russell in 1934 made Mottisfont the centre of a fashionable artistic and political circle. Maud was a wealthy patron of the arts, and she created a substantial country house where she entertained artists and writers including Ben Nicholson and Ian Fleming. She commissioned some of her artist and designer friends to embellish Mottisfont, always with an eye on its history, which fascinated her. Rex Whistler created the illusion of Gothic architecture in her salon (now known as the Whistler Room), a piece of trompe-l'œil painting that recalls the medieval architecture of the priory. Boris Anrep contributed mosaics both inside and outside the house, including one of an angel featuring Maud's face – the couple had a long love affair.[citation needed]
During World War II, Mottisfont was commandeered as a hospital with 80 beds.[6]
Maud Russell gave the house and grounds to the
Burials
- Maud Chaworth[citation needed], 14th-century noblewoman and heiress
Visitor attraction
Mottisfont Abbey has extensive grounds. There are areas of wooded shade, a walk along the River Test, enough lawn for picnics, and games are allowed on the lawns, too. There are scented rose gardens, particularly on early summer evenings, and the largest specimen of a London plane tree in Britain.[2]
In the summer months there are often theatre productions outside, and at different times of the year there are specific trails, mainly but not exclusively aimed at children, for example at Easter, Halloween, Christmas etc.[citation needed]
Refreshments are sold at several points and there is a modern National Trust shop, ice cream parlour and exhibition space. A new Visitor Centre was completed early in 2016. An environmentally friendly building, it is heated in winter months by a biomass boiler burning wood-chips from the estate.[citation needed]
From The Test Way, which passes through Mottisfont and around the Abbey grounds, the main house is seen from the rear as you pass through fields along the northern boundary.[citation needed]
References
- ^ "ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions". www.alva.org.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-905400-35-5.
- ^ Historic England. "Mottisfont Abbey House (1093730)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ^ a b Baggs, A. P.; Freeman, Jane; Stevenson, Janet H. (1995). "Parishes: Berwick St James". In Crowley, D. A. (ed.). A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 15. Victoria County History. University of London. pp. 168–177. Retrieved 23 October 2021 – via British History Online.
- ^ a b "Meet the Mills at Mottisfont". National Trust. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
- ^ a b Moore, Cathal; Thomas, Graham Stuart (1996). Mottisfont Abbey. Swindon: National Trust. pp. 11–13.
- ^ "Meet the Russells at Mottisfont". National Trust. Retrieved 8 February 2014.