by Janis / 0 comments - Orginally published:8th April 2025
Centuries of medieval history beneath your feet
We’ve visited another beautiful National Trust site with our membership, which is Mottisfont House and Gardens, Hampshire in southern England.
Mottisfont is located within the lush and verdant countryside of Hampshire and nestles just east of the cathedral city of Salisbury. The National Trust team maintains the magnificent 18th century house and manages 1600 acres of woodland, tenanted farmland and a nature reserve all around the Mottisfont estate.
When you first stroll towards Mottisfont House, you’ll amble across the wooden bridge straddling the gurgling River Test. As the meandering pathway guides you along the tree-sheltered trail, you’ll spot the stunning house revealing itself before you.
The National Trust team are always around to offer a helping hand or handy hints and tips on your voyage of discovery of Mottisfont.
Why not Pin it for later?
So, let’s grab our National Trust cards and explore Mottisfont.
Where is Mottisfont?
How to get to Mottisfont
- By Train
The nearest station to Mottisfont is Mottisfont & Dunbridge, which is around 1 mile away on foot. However, there isn’t a taxi rank, and the quickest walking route leads you through public-access fields that may contain livestock.
- By Car
Mottisfont in Hampshire is accessed off the M27, at junction 2 or 3 (M271) following the signs to Romsey and then Stockbridge. If travelling on the M3, take junction 8 – A303 towards Andover, following the signs to Stockbridge and Romsey, then look for the brown National Trust signposts.
There’s a free car park for National Trust members; parking charges may apply to non-members.
Mottisfont postcode is SO51 0LN or you can find it by using What3words ///typed.rocks.sandals
A little bit of history on Mottisfont
From a priory to a grand estateIn 1201, Mottisfont Priory was founded by William Briwere, a confidant to four Plantagenet Kings. He established the Augustinian priory amid the rolling Hampshire countryside, which became a resting point for pilgrims on their way to Winchester.
The side view of Mottisfont House
Mottisfont Priory prospered during the early 1500s; however, in 1536, when King Henry VIII initiated the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Mottisfont Priory would no longer be a place of worship.
Mottisfont was gifted to Henry VIII’s Lord Chamberlain, Lord Sandys. William Sandys unusually didn’t demolish the priory and chose to incorporate the church nave within the new mansion. Sections of the medieval church can still be seen; however, heading beneath Mottisfont to the incredible 13th century vaulted cellarium is a must to witness.
Inside the 13th century Cellarium
Through the generations, Mottisfont would transition from a Tudor Palace to a grand Georgian home, much of which can be enjoyed today, along with the beautiful gardens. Unfortunately, in the 18th century, the old monastic cloisters and Tudor courtyard were demolished.
The last owners were Maud and Gilbert Russell, who made Mottisfont their country home in 1934. Gilbert was an Army Officer and Banker who passed away in 1942 at the age of 66, having only enjoyed the house for 8 years.
Mottisfont walled garden
On Gilbert's passing, Maud arranged for the estate to be preserved by the National Trust but continued to live here until 1972. When the Gilberts arrived at Mottisfont, it was in a state of disrepair, so what you see within the stately home is Maud's taste and what incredible taste she had.
Along with visiting Mottisfont’s attractive house, you’ll also get the chance to explore the gorgeous walled garden. The gardens here are breathtaking to see; however, the fragrances that you get to experience as you wend your way by the lavender are hypnotising.
Exploring Mottisfont House
Full of elegance and styleAs mentioned, Mottisfont’s last resident was Maud Russell; she had exquisite taste and a keen eye for luxury and style. Maud wanted to create a neo-classical setting within the stunning home.
Stylish bedroom in Mottisfont
Maud Russell, a society hostess, was a patron of the arts and close friends with Ian Flemming, of James Bond fame and the renowned British artist Rex Whistler.
Maud was the daughter of German immigrants, suffering from anti-German sentiment in the First World War, and she assisted family members in escaping Nazi Germany in the Second World War. She truly sounds like a fascinating character, living a full life and passing away at the age of 90 in 1982.
Dining Room in Mottisfont
Maud loved the historic décor within Mottisfont and began blending this style with her adoration of neo-classical design throughout her house.
Although many of Maud’s personal items and furniture are no longer here, there is still an incredible amount of detail to be found in Mottisfont, which is full of period furniture and eye-catching works of art.
Whistler Room, Mottisfont
The National Trust have done a superb job of saving the best to last, the ‘Whistler Room’. Maud commissioned Rex Whistler in 1939 to transform the entrance hall of Mottisfont into a large, elegant saloon, which would undoubtedly impress her chic guests.
Fireplace in the Whistler Room
Elegant detail in the Whistler Room
The results were stunning; Whistler created spectacular murals and faux columns, which were painted in the Gothic style and created an air of sophistication which reflected the medieval origins of its medieval past.
Unfortunately, Rex Whistler’s life was cut short when he died in the Battle of Normandy on 18th July 1944.
Vaulted Cellarium
The magnificent vaulted Cellarium is one of the most visible aspects of the 13th century Augustinian priory. The ancient stone walls and columns beneath Mottisfont are a sight to behold. The medieval cellar has had some restoration over the years; however, it doesn’t detract from its splendour.
It’s now time to explore the gardens.
Where to stay in nearby Wells and Salisbury
The Swan Hotel
This charming 15th-century coaching inn is located in the beating heart of Wells. It has plenty of character and friendly staff.
Onsite parking is available and complimentary, although limited. We have a large EV and were able to charge it overnight for free.
Mercure Salisbury White Hart Hotel
This welcoming city centre hotel is located in a grand Georgian building and just a few minutes’ walk to Salisbury Cathedral.
Private onsite parking is available at a reasonable daily charge.
Mottisfont’s stables
Enjoy a cake and a good bookJust a short stroll past the main house at Mottisfont is one of the National Trust’s welcoming cafés, located within the old stables. The bustling tearoom was full of delicious snacks; we couldn’t resist buying a couple of their cakes and enjoying them in the stable yard.
Mottisfont’s old stables
Also, within the old stables is Mottisfont’s second-hand bookshop; if you’ve visited a National Trust site before you’ll know, there’s always a little area reserved for their pre-loved books for you to purchase.
Picnic spot in Mottisfont
Another lovely touch that the National Trust often adds within the grounds of their homes and gardens is an area to enjoy a picnic, so bring along a packed lunch and sit and watch the world pass by.
Discovering more National Trust gardens
We’ve visited many National Trust sites and explored their beautiful gardens, which are so meticulously kept. A few places that particularly stand out for me are Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Scotney Castle, Chartwell in Kent and Nymans and Bateman’s in Sussex.
If, like us, you enjoy visiting the National Trust gardens around the United Kingdom, then grab yourself a copy of the latest ‘Gardens of the National Trust’.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book, and it won’t be long before you’re planning your next trip.
Discovering Mottisfont’s Walled Gardens
Ohh the wonder of LavenderI’ll say it now: I love a walled garden, and Mottisfont’s is spectacular. I could have ambled around this garden for hours. The garden looks stunning, and the fragrances from the wave upon wave of flowers were mesmerising.
A doorway to splendour
One of my favourite plants is lavender, and here at Mottisfont, they didn’t hold back; there were swathes of purple pillows everywhere, and the fragrance you can savour as you brush past them is hypnotic. And it isn’t just me who adores lavender; the local bumblebees do, too.
We even have our own little homage to Provence in our home garden, with a lavender bed and sunflowers.
Pillows of lavender
One of the reasons we wanted to include a visit to Mottisfont during our Wells and Salisbury road trip was to their renowned rose garden with many old-fashioned varieties. However, we were unfortunately a couple of weeks too late to witness the display in its full glory. Early summer is the best time to visit for the display of roses.
Planting in the walled garden
Historically, during Mottisfont’s medieval occupation, roses were a sacred plant that the residents would have nurtured. Fast forward many centuries to the 1970s, and a noteworthy British horticulturalist, Graham Stuart Thomas, designed a rose garden for Mottisfont to be laid within its historic walled garden. Many rose varieties were collected and planted here, some of which may have been lost to time forever.
Mottisfont gardens
Mottisfont can, today, boast that it holds the National Collection of pre-1900 old-fashioned roses. We’ll have to return again and ensure we visit in June.
Map, guides and more
The Hampshire countryside in southern England is perfect for hikes and exploring the New Forest, South Downs and the Test Valleys where Mottisfont is located. When you venture off on this region’s 28 delightful circular walks, you’ll want the Ordnance Survey Hampshire Pathfinder guidebook.
Alternatively, why not purchase and download the OS Maps App, which covers all of Great Britain.
Exploring Mottisfont’s Kitchen Garden
A place of tranquillityWe continue to explore the maze of flowers and shrubs which have been planted with so much care and attention. As we wander from one secluded section to another, we notice that the abundance of blooms is exquisite. I then wait with anticipation as to what we will find through the next wooden doorway.
 voyage of discovery
Small water fountain
Another area that I really loved strolling around within the walled garden was the Kitchen Garden. The kitchen garden dates from at least the 17th century and has continued to be in use through the generations.
Kitchen Garden
During World War II, the Kitchen Garden supplied produce to Mottisfont and the surrounding local community. Maud Russell also enjoyed the tranquility of the garden and produced vegetables during her time at Mottisfont.
Nurturing the produce
This delightful space within the walled garden was fully restored in 2018 by the National Trust as a nod to Mottisfont's medieval past. It is now a flourishing working kitchen garden full of mouthwatering vegetables.
This area of the garden is also home to a collection of heritage apple trees, including varieties that are rarely seen.
I hope you enjoy visiting Mottisfont as much as we did.
Escape for a few days
Are you in search of a tranquil hideaway to relax and unwind in, while you discover the beautiful British countryside?
Browse through the handpicked properties and unique retreats at Holiday Cottages.
* This post may contain links to affiliated sites where we earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.
