Situated on the banks of the River Test, Mottisfont Abbey is a former 13th century priory with extensive gardens and river walks. After the dissolution of the Monasteries the priory was acquired by William Lord Sandys whose family owned it for some 400 years. Gilbert Russell bought the estate in 1934 and began making changes to the house and gardens, finally commissioning Rex Whistler to redesign the former entrance hall in the south wing into a Gothic drawing room. Gilbert Russell died in 1942, his widow gave the house and estate to the National Trust in 1957, although she continued to live at Mottisfont until 1972. During the Second World War the house become a hospital with 80 patients.

All photographs © David Packman

The Cellarium - The Cellarium dates from the 13th century and was originally the undercroft of the prior's lodgings. It would have been used as an office and store room by the cellarer who was in charge of the provisions of the priory.

Murphy the friendly Mottisfont cat.

On to the walled garden.                                                                                          All photographs © David Packman

Caption details are based on the  latest available  information and are accurate to the best of my knowledge. Although the images are heavily compressed you are welcome to use them for your own non-commercial use.If                                you do please credit HampshireCam and add a link to these pages.                                                       All photographs copyright © David Packman 2002 - 2008 (All Rights Reserved)