HINTON AMPNER

Our DIY projects are currently ‘in limbo’ as we wait for warmer weather to paint the plastered walls so in between rain showers, we’ve ventured out for a day in the country.

Waiting to paint walls

Nestled in the countryside on the road between Petersfield and Winchester is the elegant country house of Hinton Ampner.

Hinton Ampner house

Once home of the author Ralph Dutton, 8th Baron Sherborne, a man of mystery since little is written about him online or otherwise. Unusual? Well in this day and age you’d expect a few snippets to appear somewhere but its almost like a non-disclosure agreement has been applied to his life making it difficult to uncover anything juicy about him.  And that’s part of the appeal of visiting these places, isn’t it?  Getting all the tittle, tattle tales about what went on in the lives of the rich or famous.

Tomb of Ralph Dutton

The house much like any other country pile, sits in an elevated position with a commanding view of the beautifully lush surrounding countryside.  

Side view of the house

Has anyone else noticed that there's always been a fire at these places?  It strikes me as quite an odd coincidence.  These stately piles are either victims of dodgy electrics or the perhaps the landed gentry aren't above an insurance claim or two to get themselves out of financial trouble.

A kitchen garden displaying signs of springtime is well tended.

Spring flowers in the garden

Lovely old greenhouses

Although early in the season, there are many plants already in flower. This beautiful dark hellebore caught my eye and now I want one for my own garden. I’ll be on a mission to track one down either in local garden centres or online.

I want one of these hellebores

Lovely fragrance wafted across the flowerbed from a swathe of navy blue coloured hyacinths.

Lovely scented hyacinths

This wonderful magnolia groaning under the weight of its blossoms graced the back of the house. What a magnificent specimen!

Fabulous magnolia tree at the back of the house

Subtle pink sprinkled with rain drops

The central core of the blossoms

Too muddy to explore any of the estate walks, we wandered off to take a peek in the small Saxon church not far from the house.

All Saints Church

What a vibrantly coloured window

Stained glass windows

No doubt if you returned later on in the year there’d be plenty of beautiful flowers to see in the gardens and woodland walks to help build an appetite for a glorious summer picnic.

View of the gardens

Large cardoon

Ornate old guttering

Fritillaria Imperialis in bloom