Memories of Mottisfont

As the title alludes, I have been to Mottisfont Abbey quite a few times…  Not for quite some time in case you think you’ve seen me…   My last visit was when I was around ten or eleven, and probably wearing something horrific like stonewashed jeans, and possibly topped off with my favourite Garfield t shirt (and most likely to be sporting a terrible haircut! Actually there is at least a similarity in that last part – something got lost in translation at my appointment recently and I wasn’t even in Germany. Oh well, it will grow!..)…

ANYWAY one of the benefits of being back in this part of the country is that we are significantly closer to loved ones, and until they get sick of us (or we move again!), we are able to make them go to places I remember from our shared past (I am sure they are much happier about me no longer wearing dubious denim and terrible T-Shirts for the occasion though!).

Mottisfont happens to be somewhere I have quite vivid memories of, and also happens to be both insanely beautiful AND great for small people, which is a big plus so it was one of the first places on our Hampshire list…

Mottisfont started off life as a priory back in medieval times.   There are still visible parts of the medieval building (the cellar for example), but much of it was demolished in the 18th century to make way for the house you can see today.

The last owners, the Russell family, moved in in 1934.   Maud Russell was a huge art fanatic and many of her famous artist friends spent time there.  The family gifted the property to the National Trust in the 1950’s, who in turn have carried on the property’s link with art by displaying many of the works of Maud’s famous friends throughout the house, and holding various exhibitions throughout the year in the Gallery on the top floor.

Keep an eye out for the mosaic angel, tucked away on one side of the house, as you can easily walk past and miss it.  It has scarily disapproving eyes – a little odd given the fact that Maud’s lover created it for her, but it’s still incredibly beautiful.

Whilst I don’t remember a lot about the house itself from past visits, I do vividly remember the stairwell that we climbed up to the exhibition currently in place.  It’s funny how something can suddenly take you right back isn’t it?  Anyway, what was waiting this time round had plenty of childhood memories both for me and all of my offspring – an exhibit on the life and works of Judith Kerr, Famous for such books as The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and the Mog series.

I still cannot look at any picture of Mog without thinking of Goodbye Mog (you can guess what happens if you haven’t read it, and no she wasn’t run over!).   My older two would make me read it out loud to them at bedtime, whilst carefully studying my face and asking me if I was “going to cry now?”…

Thankfully I managed to walk past the first Mog without shedding a tear, which was just as well as we had a tea party to attend with a rather famous tiger.   The Toddler was obviously in awe of meeting a character from one of his favourite books (I can actually recite it word for word!) as he happily dressed up to blend in, and sat for quite a while with him having tea (as was to be expected given what the Tiger’s famous for!)…  Both are not the norm for this one, believe me…

The Tiger (the big one, not the little one!) is here until the 2nd September by the way if you would like to meet him yourself.  Mottisfont have also created a Tiger Who Came to Tea themed trail that leads you around much of the grounds…

Talking of the grounds, you must not miss the river walk.  This man-made chalk riverbed was probably created when the priory was first taking shape back in medieval times (it’s also super fragile so no throwing in pooh sticks or anything else for those of you with repeat chucking stuff in river offenders like I have!).  It takes around 15 minutes from the start to the beautiful Fisherman’s hut at the very end, and you will spot many a trout in the crystal waters along the way.     It’s hard to miss the walk unless you completely ignore the arrows just across the bridge from the entrance.  Along the way you will find a bog climbing play area, and a water play section along the way in a less fragile part of the river…   Turn left at the hut and you can walk back through the meadows if you really want to stretch the day out.

Don’t also miss another opportunity to dress up – this time in the Stables of the Old Coach House (where you can also find the ice cream shop and cafe/restaurant!), here children can learn what life was like for many of the war-time evacuees that found themselves suddenly living nearby…

I know I have said it before, but since we have returned to the UK, it’s lovely to see how much more child friendly the National Trust has become.   Mottisfont is completely pushchair friendly for example – apart from the main house, where you are offered hip carrying infant seats in exchange for leaving your wheels outside…  There are children’s menus in the coach house cafe, and seasonal trails for tiny people to follow (there’s a harvest scarecrow one in time for half term after The Tiger Who Came To Tea goes home!).  You are also welcome to picnic in most places which is really lovely (we chose the front lawn in front of the house!)…

I have a feeling that we might be taking a few more trips down memory lane at Mottisfont…