Exploring National Trust Hinton Ampner

I’ve never visited a National Trust property I didn’t enjoy, but Hinton Ampner really captured me. Located near Alresford in Hampshire, it’s a phoenix of a house, having been completely restored by the last owner, Ralph Dutton, following a fire in 1960.

Hinton Ampner is the quintessential English country home; grand , beautifully proportioned, surrounded by gardens. But it feels homely and welcoming in a way that not all old country houses do.

Not a museum, a house with a heartbeat. Let me share a few highlights that got my heart beating a bit faster.

The Drawing Room

A beauty of a room full of beautiful things, The Drawing Room feels like it was made to be enjoyed as much as admired.

The yellow colour scheme was chosen by designer Ronald Fleming to work with the French Savonnerie carpets. The warm colours combined with lots of gold, huge sofas and beautifully dressed bay window create a cosy feel.

The door cases and many of the marble pieces were rescued from another house. This is a recurring theme; several features of the house were imported from elsewhere. Ralph Dutton made filling the house with beautiful things his passion project and he wasn’t afraid to get creative to do it.

This room is also keeper of an intriguing thing: A crystal ball. I gazed into it, but saw only the reflection of the room. I wonder if Ralph Dutton ever saw anything different?

The Library

Books for days, a fireplace with a story and all the pinks and golds.

Fireplaces seem to be woven into the story of this room. The 1960 fire that destroyed Hinton Ampner started in the library. It’s believed a spark from the fire hit the sofa starting a blaze. The historic fireplace itself and most of the books were destroyed.

The library was recreated faithfully, filled again with books and treasures. Every detail is pleasing to the eye, right down to a doorstop designed as a sphinx.

A new fireplace was imported from Paris. Rumour has it this was originally made for Marie Antoinette’s château with the ‘N’ added in honour of Napoleon. A fascinating bit of history if true. A good story if it isn’t.

I couldn’t get a good picture of the fireplace as the house was quite busy. You can view it here.

The Dining Room

The dining room, with a beautifully laid table and mahogany furniture, is lovely. Dining rooms in old houses are always impressive, aren’t they? Harking back to a time when every meal was an occasion.

To be really impressed in this dining room, look up. The ceiling is perfection. It was installed in the 1930’s having been rescued from a house in Berkley Square, London. After some fire damage in 1960, the whole thing was painstakingly restored.

It’s another little story in a house full of them.

Ralph Dutton’s Bedroom and Bathroom

The rooms that give the most intimate look at the man who created this home. Compared to the rest of the house, Dutton’s bedroom is quite humble. Spacious and full of lovely things, but homely.

It’s a room that made me think of well worn slippers, favourite pyjamas and Sunday mornings in bed with the papers. Probably whilst enjoying tea and toast with marmalade, enjoyed from a beautifully laid breakfast tray.

The bathroom, on the other hand, is a bit extra. A semi sunken bath and walk in shower are surrounded by black 1930’s style panels. Ornate skylights flood the room with light, boldly patterned feature walls bring a bit of va-va-voom.

Ralph Dutton was raised at Hinton Ampner, where during his childhood, the house lacked a proper bathroom. Drinking water came from a well, and the indoor plumbing consisted of a toilet that flushed using water from a roof mounted tank.

It seems that when he got the chance, he created a bathroom that made up for those years. Skylights and a marble stand sponge holder. Could a bathroom be any more fabulous?

Hinton Ampner: The Gardens

Ralph Dutton’s love of all things beautiful flows from the house into the gardens, which he designed as a series of rooms.

Some were designed for pleasure, some to be productive. There’s a walled kitchen garden, manicured lawns, beautifully planted borders.

One of the most pleasing garden views at Hinton Ampner is from the lily pond across to the house. Ralph Dutton redesigned the drawing room to make the most of this aspect and it’s easy to see why.

Amusingly, the pond is home to the friendliest fish I’ve ever encountered. I kid you not, these fish were tame. Surfacing as soon as you approached the pond and sticking around as long as you paid attention.

Somehow, the quirky detail of friendly fish fits the character of Hinton Ampner perfectly.

Hinton Ampner is a National Trust property, free entry for National Trust members. Find all the details needed to plan a visit here.

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy reading about another National Trust garden at Mompesson House in Salisbury.

Helen x