Hinton Ampner House, nr Winchester[frame]
We are again guests of the National Trust at Hinton Ampner after a successful rally there last year, the first organised jointly with Hampshire branch. This informal event opens at 10 am and features our usual raffle, cake stall and tombola. Rally entry includes access to the house and gardens for all attendees. As well as the usual tea room and shop, there is the walled garden – with some newly restored greenhouses this year – and a plant shop. Or you could just sit by the car and enjoy the superb views across the South Downs.
The property lies on the A272, approximately 9 miles east of Winchester and is best known for its magnificent garden with stunning views to the south. The house itself was remodelled by Ralph Dutton, the 8th and last Lord Sherborne, in 1960 after a devastating fire and contains his collection of Georgian and Regency furniture, Italian pictures and objets d'art. The gardens were also laid out by Ralph Dutton and are widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of 20th-century design, mixing formal and informal planting, providing all year round interest.
Entry fee this year has been held at £10 and covers the car and all occupants. Entry forms will be sent to all recent attendees of Hampshire and Surrey Hants Border rallies or can be obtained by writing to Tim Rouse at 8 Goslings Croft, Selborne, Alton, Hampshire GU34 3HZ (tel 01420 511285) or by sending an email to shbbmmoc@btinternet.com.