Mottisfont Estate

About Mottisfont

Mottisfont Abbey is set amidst glorious countryside along the river Test. It was a twelfth century Augustinian priory but it was converted to a private house after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the time of King Henry VIII. It still retains the spring or 'font' from which its name is derived. The Abbey contains a drawing room decorated by Rex Whistler. One of the main attractions is the grounds with magnificent trees, walled gardens and National Collection of old-fashioned roses. The estate includes Mottisfont village and surrounding farmland and woods.

The Mottisfont Estate, 1,645 acres (666ha) lies in the valley of the River Test, and is most famous for Mottisfont Abbey and its rose gardens. However, the estate comprises water meadows, ancient woodland, arable and livestock farmland and one and a half miles of the River Test and a mile or so of the River Dunn.

A diversity of wildlife only exists where plenty of light penetrates the trees. In the past this was achieved when trees were felled for timber and coppiced (the practice of cutting trees at the base and letting them re-grow into many stems that can be used for hurdles and fencing). Since these practices ceased, woods have become much denser causing the loss of many plants and the creatures that rely on them for food.

The Trust has therefore reintroduced coppicing schemes at Mottisfont, creating sunny glades in the midst of the woods. Rides (or tracks) have also been widened allowing more light through and so improving the structure of the woodland. This has provided valuable habitats for a wide range of butterflies, notably white admirals, pearl-bordered fritillaries and duke of burgundy fritillaries.

In 2010 it was decided that better use should be made of the wood that is cut in the coppices. The Trust has purchased a kiln in order that the Volunteers can make charcoal which is sold through the Estate shop. Other timber is turned into logs and kindling wood for home fires. Not all the wood is burned, we use the brash to make faggots for the river banks and if its suitable, cut bean and pea sticks for the garden.

In many fields a border is being left around the edge of the field, where fertilizers and pesticides are not used, this increases the diversity of wildlife in the hedgerow, woodland edges and watercourses. Many of the grass fields at Mottisfont are also listed as Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Some of the Mottisfont estate is also managed to produce timber to provide revenue and to be used by the Trust for its fences, gates and buildings.

The Mottisfont estate has a long distance footpath, which we as a group helped to create in 1999 and continue to maintain.

Charcoal making

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