Hinton Ampner garden is the 20th century creation of Ralph Dutton, 8th Lord Sherbourne, that mimics 18th century tradition. The house in the gardens is not the original of his ancestors. The first home was built in the early 1500s and survived until 1793. After its demolition a yellow brick Georgian house was constructed, and it is this house that was remodelled and enlarged in the neo-Tudor style in 1867. The formal garden parterres were added at the same time.
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Ralph Dutton inherited the estate in 1935 and proceeded to demolish all but the Georgian section of the house. At this time the gardens were also remodelled to fit the architecture of the house. Due to World War II, all was not finished until 1960. First to be completed were the trees in the parkland, then the sunken garden in 1935. The long walk that he created was planted with borders. In early 1940s a lime walk, dating from 1720, was melded into the garden. Shrub rose borders were added in the 1950s. A former chalk pit was made into a dell in 1991. A topiary garden is an added attraction.
In 1950 a fire in the house destroyed the 18th century fireplaces, pictures, furniture, and books. Ralph Dutton rebuilt the house in the neo-Georgian style. In 1985 when he died, he bequeathed the house, furniture, paintings and objets d'art, the garden, and Hinton Ampner hamlet to the National Trust. Beside the garden is All Saints parish church. Dating from Saxon times it was rebuilt in the early 1800s. In 1870 a French style bell tower was added.
In the 21st century the garden, both formal and informal in design, is still being developed. In 2007 the walled garden was restored.
Hinton Ampner Garden
Bramdean, Alresford, Hampshire
Off the A272, one mile west of Bramdean village, eight miles south-east of Winchester
Tel. 0 1962 771 305
Open: House: Feb, Nov-mid Dec, daily 10am-4pm; March-end Oct, daily, 11am-5pm; Garden/tea-room, and shop: all year, daily, 10am-4pm; cosed 24-25 Dec
National Trust property; shop; plant sales; parking; trails; small tea-room
Photos © and courtesy Hampshire Cam