Hinton Ampner walk on 20th September 2023

With heavy rain forecast to start at 11.00 am and continue all day, Denis wisely decided our walking should be within easy sprinting distance of shelter. Actually the rain was late and we had an excellent 2.1/2  hours walking around the Georgian country estate of Hinton Ampner. It was given to the National Trust by Ralph Dutton (8th Baron Sherborne)  who was unmarried and had no heirs, in 1985. We started in the enclosed vegetable/flower garden, with some wonderful planting and much time was spent trying to decide the names of different plants. The huge sunflowers were past their best but dahlias were everywhere and bloomin' beautiful. Pumpkins were huge and the arch of squashes was spectacular. The cordon apple and pears looked very productive, as did a nicely shaped medlar tree. Leaving the walled garden, we had a look at a huge yew hedge pruned to the shape of cumulus clouds. The cutting was the work of the head gardener, John, who we were lucky to meet on our tour, but sadly it was his last day with the National Trust as he has a new job up north. The church made a good spot for a coffee break before continuing our tour of the grounds. We had an excellent guide to show us around the rest of the grounds, with a promise of a bluebell walk in the New Year - not to be missed! During our lunch in the cafe the heavens opened and we were happy to avoid any more outside walking! Some of us were able to have a look around the house, lavishly decorated with notable examples of Regency art and decorative objects. The walking was about 2.1/2 miles, but at least we stayed dry!

Hinton Ampner, built 1793, remodelled 1867, remodelled again in 1936/9 and extensively repaired after a fire in 1960

Now looking much as it was when originally built in 1793

First view of the extensive flower and vegetable garden.

Runner bean arch

After extensive testing, we found our expert guide rarely wrong with plant names

Flowers in profusion.

Potting shed

Leaving the walled garden

Volunteer hedge clipper needed - previous experience essential!

The Saxon church of All Saints

Within is a memorial stone to Lady Elizabeth Trott - daughter of the Lord Mayor of London who died in 1693:-

Wealthy Wth Witt, Wth  Beauty Gratious, Shee Livd in a Prudent Generosity

Lots of interesting plants in the Dell, including a banana tree.

Dahlias on the eastern approach

Lily pond has a few residents

Koi carp, the coloured versions unknown outside of Japan until 1914. One sold in 2018 for around $2m

Taking a wander towards Kilmeston

The Long Walk

This is a Gnomon (that's the bit on top of the sundial, apparently)

Amongst the horse chestnut trees, she stoops to conker.

• ← Graffham walk on 13th September 2023
• Midhurst walk on 27th September 2023 →