Mottisfont Abbey
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Mottisfont Abbey is a former priory and country estate in Mottisfont, near Romsey, with a walled garden holding pre-1900 roses.
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Why go
- The walled rose garden’s collection of roses bred before 1900.
- Rex Whistler’s trompe-l'œil Gothic interior in the room named for him.
- The spring that gave Mottisfont its name, still flowing in the grounds.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 17:00
Tuesday10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday10:00 – 17:00
Thursday10:00 – 17:00
Friday10:00 – 17:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
Sunday10:00 – 17:00
Best time to visit
- Visit in June, when the rose collection peaks.
- For fragrant roses, visit on an early summer evening.
Photo spots
- Large London plane treePhotograph the large London plane tree growing on the grounds.On the groundsAny time during opening hours
Shorts
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Rose Garden, Mottisfont Abbey, Romsey, HampshireP&M Miscellany
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Mottisfont Abbey Rose GardensTv Lerka
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It’s Travel Tuesday. This week it’s Mottisfont Abbey In Hampshire Eng…Paul Zimmerman Roses Consulting & Design
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A beautiful morning spent at Mottisfont Abbey, admiring the rosesBen Hamilton Anderson,Rose Expert / Plant Reviewer
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Bronica ETRSi Medium Format Film Results | Lucky SHD 400 at Mottisfon…Stephen Paul Young Photography
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#history #beautifulhomes #garden #nationaltrust #daysout #beautifulbu…Ryan Stewart
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A lovely day out at Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire .Wibbstravels
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COME WITH ME TO THE MOTTISFONT ABBEY ROSE GARDEN | NATIONAL TRUSTEvie Rose Lane
History
After its dissolution, Sir William Sandys turned it into a country home, retaining the church; the house still incorporates its nave, and the 13th-century cellarium survives.
- 1201William Briwere founded an Augustinian priory at Mottisfont. Pilgrims came to see a relic said to be John the Baptist’s finger.
- 1536Henry VIII dissolved the priory and gave the estate to Sir William Sandys, who converted it into a country home while retaining the church. The house incorporates the former church nave, with wings added on both sides.
- 13th c.The priory’s cellarium survived.
- 18th c.The Mill family demolished the cloisters and Tudor courtyard.
- 1934Maud and Gilbert Russell made the estate a hub for artistic and political circles. Maud hosted artists and writers including Ben Nicholson and Ian Fleming.
Show all
- World War IIThe house served as a hospital with 80 beds.
- 1957Maud Russell gave the house and grounds to the National Trust.
Sources: Mottisfont Abbey - Wikipedia · Abbaye de Mottisfont - Wikipedia · Mottisfont Abbey: booking (its own site) · Mottisfont Abbey: description (its own site) · checked 28 Oct 2026
Where
Near Romsey, Mottisfont
- Phone
- +441794340757
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
How long does a visit to Mottisfont Abbey take?
No visit duration is provided. The estate has a seven-mile circular trail that starts at the car park.
When is Mottisfont Abbey open?
It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
Can children visit Mottisfont Abbey?
Yes. A children's trail runs through the gardens.
How do I get to Mottisfont Abbey from Romsey?
Mottisfont Abbey is near Romsey, but no transport route or travel time is provided.
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