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Abbey ever after with a day out at Mottisfont
MOTTISFONT Abbey, situated near Romsey, is one of my favourite places for a day out in Hampshire.
And when we visited a couple of weekends ago it was clear from the number of people heading through the gates of this National Trust property that I am far from alone!
Fortunately, Mottisfont is a big place with lots of attractions - the walled gardens, the landscaped grounds, the river walk, a temporary art exhibition and the house itself - so we weren't moving in a crowd as we wandered round the property.
Mottisfont is a flower-lover's paradise. It is especially known for its roses - the walled gardens house the National Collection of old-fashioned roses but I like all the traditional cottage garden plants just as much, if not more.
June is really the best month to see the roses but don't let that put you off as the walled gardens, and the rest of the grounds, are beautiful throughout the summer.
The best way to enjoy them is a slow wander with lots of stops at the numerous benches dotted around. Because the garden is so well-planted and looked after, there is always something different to see, and for my money it's infinitely more appealing than a formal garden with neat rows of identical plants.
It's very inspiring if you're at all into gardening - as the positioning of the plants for sale suggests the National Trust realise!
We, however, stuck to an ice lolly in the sunshine, before exploring the rest of Mottisfont.
The house itself, built on the 12th century remains of an Augustinian priory, isn't that impressive in terms of National Trust properties but then it is the grounds, and not the house, that people visit it for.
For me, a major part of Mottisfont's appeal is it offers the kind of day out you'd be prepared to travel to but it's right on my doorstep!
Now where did I put that
trowel?
SALLY CHURCHWARD
3:17pm Friday 27th June 2008
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