Mottisfont NT is home to the National Collection of pre-1900 old-fashioned roses and we were able to appreciate the perfume of these on our NT Outings Group visit on 19th June. The sun shone on us and we could enjoy all that Mottisfont has to offer, as photographs show.
The walled gardens were colourful and the weather was ideal to wander along the banks of the trout stream, part of the River Teste, which runs through the estate and to sit in the garden to indulge in an ice cream (or something stronger).
Mottisfont House has an interesting history, having begun as a medieval abbey, been transformed in the 18th century to a noble residence and in 1930s taken over by Maud Russell who was a socialite and patron of the arts. Today the house is a historic museum, but displays a changing exhibition of modern-day art.
I apologise (especially to photographers Eileen Harris, Jackie Wiggins and Lindsey Jennings) for what must be a jumbled order of photos – I wasn’t there, I have tried my best in the time available to me. Dave Humphries
