Mottisfont National Trust

As they say, every day is a learning day and that was certainly the case at Mottisfont on Good Friday.  The first learning was that this was ‘the’ place to be on Good Friday, who knew!… It was queueing for entry at 10am opening time, this being the first warm and sunny day the UK had seen for some time!  A perfect day for a mooch around a garden and lunch on the grass around the house!  There were still quiet spots to be found away from the house.

Our second bit of learning was that Mottisfont was not the name of the family that owned it – no, that was the Russell family.  Mottisfont actually comes from two words, ‘moots’ and ‘font’!  The ancient spring in the grounds is the font and moots (or gatherings) were held around it a thousand years previous and  the priority was built in this fertile area, thus called Moots-Font, or Mottisfont to you and I!

The font isn’t the only water in the grounds.  The River Test runs along the edge of the grounds and it is a peaceful walk along it.  We walked up to the fishing hut which I am sure is a lovely cool spot on a hot summers day.  This also leads you into the water meadow which is outside the main grounds and very quiet indeed.

Not much encouragement is needed for people to do handstands, and the art currently in residence in the garden certainly helps!  The chap below is actually an alien that landed on earth but the sculptor David Breuer-Weil.  It’s always nice to see something a little different!

The gardens are very pretty and very neat.  There is the lime walk at the back of the house looking out across the meadows…

The main lawns that surround the house are also perfectly manicured.  The back garden, so as not to break the view, has a pretend edge to it.  Look out towards the meadow from the house and it looks like the garden goes on for miles, but there’s actually a ha-ha to prevent the deer and other animals getting into the garden.  I am sure that over the years of young children living in the house there have been some big falls off the ha-ha into the ditch!

The walled rose garden is gorgeous, there were clear signs of spring but not much yet in flower.  A peaceful place with plenty of seating to take in the scents in summer no doubt! My favourite bit of grounds such as these will always be the parterre and the dainty one here is very pretty and perfectly planted with spring crocus that were almost overpowering in smell.  Gorgeous colours against the red brick and bright blue sky.

We had a quick foray into the house too.  Well set up with a one-way flow of people to keep things logical. I really liked the Whistler room.  First these clever quotes on the drinks tray…

And then the most clever wall decorations. I believe they are tromp l’oeil paintings – Whistler has made an illusion that makes you think the walls are 3D, quite incredible!

On the outside wall of the house, in a little nook, is this gorgeous mosaic angel that was made by the lover of Mrs Russell. We almost missed it!

My only disappointment of the day was that there weren’t any bluebells to be found (I think a bit early in the season) but there were plenty of daffodils and it is possible to almost block out the other visitors if you get down and sit amongst a ‘host of golden daffodils’

We didn’t eat at the property, although – I have to say I did have a cake for elevenses because I could.  For once the pre-made gluten free cakes also had no dairy in them… happy days!  We headed over to Houghton and enjoyed lunch in the sun at The Boot Inn.  It was quite lovely to sit in the garden by the river and enjoy a glass of something chilled and catch some more rays!  In the summer you can dine in the garden, but because it was still March, outside dining was reserved for the smaller terrace area up at the pub.  Great food and fantastic portion sizes!

A good day out!  Entry to Mottisfont was £14 for adults and whilst it is a small garden and property compared to many, this one ticket gives you full access to the site which I much prefer to having to decide whether to buy a house and gardens ticket, or just a gardens ticket.