Hill Place is a beautiful Georgian villa located in the Meon Valley on the edge of the South Downs National Park.  The house is a private family home run by the owners allowing for unrivalled flexibility in planning, organisation and implementation.  From the moment of arriving at Hill Place, its combination of muted grandeur and homeliness are apparent.  The striking views and surroundings complete the picture and guarantee a true country house experience.

With four principal reception rooms, two secondary reception rooms, five bedrooms, kitchens, formal gardens and ample space for a marquee, Hill Place can accommodate large parties of up to 200 or small house parties of 10-12.  A Wedding licence for up to 60 people provides the ultimate spectrum of ceremonies, parties and accommodation.   


Location

Hill Place is conveniently situated in Hampshire’s Meon Valley on the edge of the South Downs National Park between Winchester, Portsmouth and Southampton and within approximately 1.5hrs of London.  Local railway stations are Botley (10mins), Winchester (25mins), Petersfield (25mins) and Southampton (30mins).  Closest airport is Southampton (20mins).


The History

Captain Roger Martin bought the tithing of Hill in 1753 from the neighbouring Midlington estate with the money he gained on capturing two Spanish galleons in 1741.  On his death, the estate passed to his great nephew, Richard Goodlad.  It is thought that the house was built by him with the money made while working for the East India Company.  Hill Place first appears on maps on 1791 with Richard Goodlad returning from India and taking up residence by 1801.  It appears to have significant influences of the renowned Georgian architect, Sir John Soane.  In 1914 the estate (now totalling 1,059 acres and 10 properties) was broken up and sold.  The house, park and model farm were bought by a local property developer who maintained ownership from 1916 to 1977, albeit with two intervening sales of the house and park.  An annexe was added to the east side of the house in the 1930’s.

In 1977 the house and park were bought by the present owner’s grandparents, who established it as the family home once again.  The model farm is now also owned by the family and trades as a thriving fruit farm, Hill Farm Orchards.  The house and park passed to their grandson, Will and his wife Rebecca, in 2009 who continue to run the house as a family home and are restoring it to its former glory.


The Accommodation

Hill Place is available as an exclusive use, self catering short term holiday let.  We want you to feel like it is your home for the duration of your stay.  If you don’t feel like you can sit in any chair and read any book, we’re not doing our job!

Up to 12 can be accommodated in five double bedrooms (two of which can be converted to twin rooms and two further single beds are available on request) with four bathrooms.  The bedrooms are furnished with family antiques, sumptuous bedding and cushions with televisions and DVD players in each room.  Bathrooms are finished to an exceptionally high standard with one en suite shower room; one shared shower room and two bathrooms with baths and showers which can be arranged to be en suite or shared. 

In addition to the four main reception rooms guests will have full use of the roof terrace, games room, media room, kitchens and gardens.  There is Wi-Fi throughout the house as well as a projector, games console, hi-fi, pool table, table tennis, outdoor games equipment and a computer and printer available on request.

We offer a list of activities from local companies ranging from catering for your stay to country pursuits, cup cake decoration or millinery.

So whether you’re looking for a quiet time away or an activity filled occasion, Hill Place has it covered.

Ground Floor:

1. THE HALL  Grand double height entrance hall with an open fire and stone cantilever staircase and landing;
2. MORNING ROOM  Georgian painted floral ceiling, open fire, glorious views of the park and flight of stairs descending straight on to the lawn;
3. DRAWING ROOM  The traditional Georgian Drawing Room has an enormous picture window with striking views across the park, an open fire and a grand piano;
4. DINING ROOM  Able to seat 24 around a single table or 50 on smaller round tables providing intimate surroundings but with the grandeur of parkland views;
5. LIBRARY  An intimate room with an open fire and a wealth of books to peruse;
6. PANTRY Situated next to the Dining Room with dishwasher and storage;
7. KITCHEN with Aga, electric range cooker, American style fridge freezer, dishwasher, table to seat 6 and garden/parkland views;
8. UTILITY ROOM Situated between the back door and the kitchen with washing machine, tumble dryer and wc

First Floor:

1. PONSONBY Double bedroom with zip and link super-king sized bed.
2. SUNFLOWER BATHROOM Free standing bath with shower over, large porcelain basin and original fireplace (not working!).  Can be arranged as en suite to Ponsonby or Inglis, or shared.
3. INGLIS Double bedroom with zip and link super-king sized bed.
4. GOODLAD Double bedroom with antique king sized bed.
5. BURROUGH Double bedroom with antique king sized bed.
6. FLAMINGO BATHROOM Free standing bath, walk-in shower, double basins.  Can be arranged as en suite to Burrough, or shared.
7. HOUSE Double bedroom with queen sized bed and en suite shower room
8. Stairs to ROOF TERRACE.

Basement:

1. SERVANTS’ HALL Vaulted room with pool/table tennis table and dining table to seat 8.
2. MRS MIGGINS ROOM Informal sitting room large comfy sofas, hi-fi, games console, projector, library of DVDs and CDs.

The Grounds

The house is set in 2 acres of formal gardens and surrounded by some 18 acres of parkland studded with majestic oak trees.  The sweeping lawn provides generous room for garden games, activities, barbeques and drinks.  The uninterrupted views from the garden across the parkland to the orchards and the Isle of Wight beyond create a tranquil and spacious environment.
 

The Services

The following items are included in the rent:

1. Fridge with basics supplied and larder with basic cooking ingredients, fresh homemade bread, cakes, jams and chutneys
2. Utilities.
3. Logs.
4. Linen, towels and toiletries.

Additional Services

The following services are available on request for which there will be an additional charge:

1. Catering.
2. Domestic Goddess master classes
3. Chocolate making
4. Country sports.
5. Make-up lessons
6. Sailing
7. Millinery
8. Archery
9. Buggy racing
10. Anything you can think of!

Ten Things To Do

1. Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (15 miles)
2. Historic city of Winchester – cathedral, shopping, walks (14 miles)
3. Stately homes – Hinton Ampner house and garden (11 miles), Exbury Gardens (30 miles), Beaulieu (30 miles)
4. Walk the South Downs Way (7 miles) or the Wayfarers Way
5. Sailing on the Solent;
6. Visit West Wittering beach (33 miles)
7. Visit Isle of Wight (30 miles)
8. Theatre, opera or sports venues – Mayflower Theatre (13 miles) Theatre Royal, Winchester (15 miles)  Grange Park Opera (10 miles)  Rosebowl (9 miles)
9. Marwell zoo (8 miles)
10. Watercress Line (14 miles)

Pubs

1. Baker’s Arms, Droxford (1.5 miles)
2. Brickmakers, Swanmore (1.5 miles)
3. Hurdles, Droxford (2.5 miles)
4. Rising Sun, Swanmore (1 mile)
5. Thomas Lord, West Meon (6.5 miles)

Restaurants

1. Bishops Waltham Wine Bar, Bishops Waltham  (3 miles)
2. Vatika, Shedfield (4.5 miles)
3. Friends tandoori, Bishops Waltham (2.5 miles)
4. Bahn Thai, Wickham (7 miles)
5. Old House Hotel, Wickham

Prices & Availability

The following are inclusive of VAT

For weddings and House parties prices start from £5,500 for a 2 night stay and £500 per additional although there will be additional costs for extra parties during the stay.

Please contact us for latest availability.

Restrictions

1. No smoking
2. Hen & Stag by arrangement
3. Pets by arrangement only.