Mottisfont derives its name from a spring:

Fertile land and a plentiful water supply attracted the first settlers. The site’s name comes from a spring (“font”) that is still producing water in the grounds. It was the font around which the local community held its moots or meetings. An Augustinian priory was founded here in 1201 by William Briwere, a businessman, administrator and courtier to four Plantagenet kings who chose to make a public demonstration of his wealth and piety. The canons welcomed pilgrims en route to Winchester, who came to worship Mottisfont’s relic, said to be the finger of St John the Baptist.

Struck by the Black Death, the initially prosperous priory suffered from the mid-14th century onwards. During the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, the priory was dissolved and the king gave Mottisfont to a favoured statesman, Sir William Sandys, who turned it into a country home, but rather unusually, chose not to demolish the existing priory. Sandys instead turned the church nave into the main body of the new mansion, building additional wings on either side. Sections of the original medieval church may still be seen, with the later additions built around them. The 13th-century cellarium also remains present today.

In the 18th century, the old monastic cloisters and Tudor courtyard were demolished by the Mill family, creating the modern appearance of the estate’s facade. It was at this time that the owners added “Abbey” to the name of the house rather than the more historically correct “Priory”. The National Trust speculates that the name was considered to be more romantic.[3] Then, under Sir John Barker Mill, in the early 19th century, the estate became a centre for hunting, shooting and fishing, and a new stable block was built.[3]

The last decades of the 19th century saw Mottisfont let to wealthy banker Daniel Meinertzhagen under eccentric terms that forbade the installation of electric light or central heating. The ten Meinertzhagen children included Daniel and Richard, who built aviaries for their collection of eagles, hawks, owls and ravens. Richard wrote detailed diaries about his childhood and growing interest in the natural world.[4]

Angel Mosaic by Boris Anrep
The arrival of Maud and Gilbert Russell in 1934 made Mottisfont the centre of a fashionable artistic and political circle. Maud was a wealthy patron of the arts, and she created a substantial country house where she entertained artists and writers including Ben Nicholson and Ian Fleming. She commissioned some of her artist and designer friends to embellish Mottisfont, always with an eye on its history, which fascinated her. Rex Whistler created the illusion of Gothic architecture in her salon (now known as the Whistler Room), a piece of trompe-l’œil painting that recalls the medieval architecture of the priory. Boris Anrep contributed mosaics both inside and outside the house, including one of an angel featuring Maud’s face – the couple had a long love affair.[citation needed]

During World War II, Mottisfont was commandered as a hospital with 80 beds.[4]

Maud Russell gifted the house and grounds to the National Trust in 1957, although continuing to live there until 1972.[5] One of the artists who had visited regularly was Derek Hill, a society portrait painter who had a private passion for landscape painting, and who collected work by his contemporaries. He donated a substantial collection of early 20th-century art to the National Trust to be shown at Mottisfont, in memory of his long friendship with Maud Russell. Today, these works are joined by a changing programme of temporary exhibitions of 20th-century and contemporary art.

After we had eaten breakfast we set off in the beautiful sunshine to Mottisfont, a former priory turned country house. We were amongst of the first people to arrive which meant that we were able to walk around the garden and grounds before it got busy. The walled garden is delightful, although it was a bit early in the season to see it at its best. The font (source of water) from which the name Mottisfont is derived was pretty with the sun and reflections shining on it.

There was a temporary exhibition of Thelwell’s artwork. The exhibition included all aspects of his artwork; old favourites including the characters Penelope (and her pony, Kipper), astute observations on country life, satirical and political cartoons along with his excellent landscape paintings. The exhibition was thoroughly enjoyable and I am glad we happened to visit when the artwork was on display. The last room in the house that we visited was painted by Whistler. The painting isn’t complete due to him being killed in action during WWII.

Before we explored the last bit of the estate we had lunch where I opted for a Hot Cross scone, which was delicious. It was spiced in the same way as a Hot Cross bun.

We next visited Bishop’s Waltham which we found to have pleasant architecture and even a beautiful Easter wreath on one of the doors. However there was not enough to keep us there so we returned to Winchester. Mum went off in search of biscuits for her room whilst Mr C and I set off for afternoon tea and possibly cake, although in the end I was not tempted to a naughty cake. I was then tricked into visiting a second hand book shop. I hadn’t intended to buy a book, but Mr C pointed out Pevsner’s Shropshire to me. For some time I have been meaning to source a copy on the internet so it had to be procured Before returning to the hotel we went into the Cathedral to double check which was the main Easter day service.

We dined in The Old Vine. The food was nice although we all found the menu a bit limited. Afterwards we returned to the Wykeham Arms for a nightcap, where I noticed the blue Radley Charm that had been on my handbag had disappeared during the evening. This was a little disappointing because it always made me smile.