Melchet Court in Hampshire
I am currently researching Melchet Court in Hampshire, and I am unable to visit the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh where the Ashburton Papers are held (Inventory Acc.11388). Members of the library are unable to help as the collection is extensive. I am particularly interested in No. 151 of the inventory – Maps and architectural drawings as I would like to know who designed the gardens in 1868 when Henry Clutton was the architect for the house. Would someone be able to visit the library or may know where I can obtain the information?
Janice Bennetts
This post was submitted by Janice Bennetts.
Category: Forum |
11 Comments » 
Dear Janice,
I live in Edinburgh,
I am on the Garden History Society in Scotland’s Committee
I live not far from the NLS- I could visit
I would be happy to check this up for you
If you give me precise instructions
Grace
Grace Ellis
Grace, Thank you very much indeed for your offer. My GHS request alerted Sheila Mackenzie, the Senior Manuscripts Curator at the Library, I will forward her reply if I may have your email address. I had also contacted her previously. She explained that the papers (Acc. 11388) are extensive – I have downloaded the list. She checked files 144, 151 (drawings etc – sent me a list), 153 and glanced at file 138 (correspondence concerning Melchet 1865-84, n.d.), but did not see anything relevant. She did mention that I could pass on her contact details to arrange for the documents to be placed on reserve (0131 623 3871 email s.mackenzie@nls.uk)
I am interested in finding out who designed the gardens during the mid 19th century at Melchet Court (I can send you an article that I have just written for the HGT magazine about the estate). The house was designed by the architect Henry Clutton – he was commissioned by William Bingham Baring (2nd Lord Ashburton) around 1862 and the building was completed in 1868. I assume the design for the gardens occurred soon after the house was completed by Lady Louisa Ashburton (house specifically bought for her). The greenhouses in the extended walled garden seem to have been erected between 1868 and 1871 (noted in a Gardeners’ Chronicle article written in 1881). William Bingham Baring died in 1864 and his wife had the building finished. In the inventory list under item 68 there is note of a William Butterfield, architect (5; 1860-7 n.d) – apparently there are some further details – noted by ****. I assume that files 136 and 137 refer to the Ashburton’s main house in Hampshire, The Grange at Northington. Files 123 and 124 cover household and estate correspondence.
I understand perfectly if you do not have time to look the files, but would be most grateful if you could.
Regards
Janice
Dear Janice
Oops
Tempus Fugit
I have just not had time this last few months – to go to NLS
will try and get around to it now that Holidays Conferences,visitors and Festivals and Office work are more or less sorted
Grace
Hello Janice,
I read your request re the gardens of Melchet Court with interest. Although I cannot help you with your original question, I thought you might be interested to know another snippet of history. My late Aunt Muriel Collins, nee Nixon,worked there in W.W.1 – doing her war work – cooking for the convalescing officers. She told me there were 28 gardeners tending the grounds and hot houses; and she said, that she had never seen such high class produce since. As a point of interest, in the 1920’s, she went over to America,cooking for the elite of the East coast.
Good luck with your research, Best wishes, Heather Noble,
I grew up very close to Melchet Court (about 5 minutes walk through the woods), which is now an EBD school. I am a friend of the deputy head’s son, by chance, who I met at school in Romsey. I don’t know if he could help further, but feel free to email me.
Hello Janice
I too am researching Melchet Court as part of a book that I am in the process of witing on the history of the parish of Melchet Park and Plaitford.
I live about a one and a half miles from Melchet and have collected quite a lot of information.
If you think I can be of any help, please email me.
Regards
Geoff
I’ve done some research on The Grange at Northington which of course is earlier than Melchet at 1804. I stumbled across this magnificent Grecian mansion, designed by William Wilkins, a few years back on the night they were staging their first opera. I couldn’t help but follow the long trail of cars in so I can see the floodlighted structure right up close – and then pleaded I’d taken a wrong turning !
What also caught my eye was the building that stood at the park entrance where I’d detoured. This Sham Castle Lodge, made up to look like a fierce little Pekinese of a castle, with battlements topping its mighty two storeys and an octagonal stair turret, would have been contemporary with the mansion.
I’d heard mention of Melchet. How far is it from Northington ? I would definitely be interested in seeing that HGT article.
Richard,
Melchet is between 40 and 50 miles from Northington, depending on the route you take. The article I wrote is included in the Autumn/Winter 2010 (Issue 3) of the Hampshire Gardens Trust magazine. If you contact the Secretary at the Trust, details are on our website http://www.hgt.org.uk, and mention my name, a copy will be sent.
Regards
Janice
Geoff
It might be usefu if we can compare notes. Please contact me through the Hampshire Gardens Trust’s office – details are on our website http://www.hgt.org.uk.
Regards
Janice
If you need any extra help, I would be glad to look at some NLS stuff for you as I am popping in reasonably regularly to the NAS.
Regards
Rebekah
Dear Rebekah,
I am carrying out a Landscape Conservation Management Plan for Melchet Court due to the interest raised by the research carried out by Janice Bennetts in an effort to try and stop reactionary maintenance and form a proactive plan.
At the moment the school which is a tenant of the estate is also carrying out a Buildings Conservation Management Plan. Eventually we may attempt a Lottery application because so much money is needed to get the fabric in good condition.
The buildings are listed which makes the grounds the setting of an historic building but we are also interested in applying to register the gardens as an Historic Park and Garden with English Heritage.
Melchet Court is now a small estate and we have been offered the opportunity to apply for Higher Level Stewardship.
In their hey day, when Lady Ashburton used Melchet as one of her homes, she had a superb garden and we have no idea if she had professional help in designing the gardens. She did employ 28 gardeners. We have a gap in our knowledge here which would be really useful to fill as it would affect every aspect of how we take the management forward.
Edinburgh is an expedition from Winchester and one that I have not found the time or the money to finance as yet, but actually the information in these records may be critical to the outcome of the management of the estate. My mobile number is 07989 514934 and it would be great to talk to you to see if we can take this research on another step.
Regards. Vicki.