HISTORY The earliest mention of Hunton is in a charter of Edward The Elder, son of Alfred The Great. In 909 he granted the manor to the Bishop of Winchester. It was mentioned again in the Domesday Book and again in the Norman Distribution. Later it reverted to the Crown, and in 1309 Edward II granted the manor to his son-in-law, Ralph Monthermer. For nearly 250 years it was in the hands of owners who were either connected by blood or marriage to the Sovereign. The present manor house was built in the early 18th century, and little is known of any previous buildings. In 1744 it was sold to John Pilter and remained in that family until about 1916. It was sold three times in the 20th century, during which time it was restored and extended, under the supervision of Raymond Erith, who at the same time was responsible for 10 Downing Street. DESCRIPTION First visible from its meandering driveway that sweeps round to front of the house, the Manor showcases Georgian architecture at its very finest, displaying all of the period’s classic symmetry, arranged over four floors. Symmetrical stone stairs sweep up to the front door below graceful wrought iron railings. Once inside, the timeline and history are evident. Tall ceilings, huge 12 and 15-pane sash windows, and square, light-filled rooms make for pleasing proportions throughout. Oak-panelled rooms, detailed cornicing, stunning staircases, ancient oak floors, and exquisite fireplaces all feature and speak of the story of this lovely family home. Ground Floor The graceful reception hall is a statement in itself. Fully painted wood-panelled walls have a fireplace at either end. Carved wood surrounds, with marble slips, have brass fenders beneath leather tops. Beautiful, original, wide oak boards grace the floor. The blue sitting room, just off, overlooks the front garden and fountain. To the other end of the reception hall is the dual-aspect dining room, also overlooking the front of the house. Full-height oak panelling and cornicing feature, with a marble fireplace and hearth. Opposite the front door is the rear hall housing the main staircase and door to the rear garden. The study lies just off, with fully panelled walls, a carved oak fireplace with a green marble hearth, and two alcoves on either side. A circular inner hall, also off the reception hall, is flooded with natural light from a ten-pane glass cupola. Below, a stunning cantilevered spiral staircase rises to a circular galleried landing. A beautiful inlaid marble floor is matched by original Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler wallpaper. Just off is the welcoming library/sitting room, with three 12-pane sash windows, one forming the top of a door that opens to the rear garden. The fireplace has an ornately carved, honey-coloured marble surround with a brass fender. The inner hall, leading on to the drawing room, has a built-in drinks cupboard with shelves, a copper sink, and an ice-maker. The graceful drawing room, designed by Raymond Erith, has huge sash windows overlooking the gardens to the south and east, all with wooden shutters. Full-height sashes open as doors to the terrace. Painted wood panelling lines the walls with an elaborately carved pale marble fireplace sitting center stage within this beautiful room. A corridor from the back hall leads down to the kitchen with its four-door Aga. Painted wood wall and floor units house a double stainless steel sink and a separate vegetable sink. A large island houses an electric hob and oven. Benched seating surrounds the table in the breakfast area. Directly off is a pantry, flower room, and cloakroom. A small lobby leads out to the garden. OUTSIDE Gardens, Grounds, and Land The house sits proudly above its formal landscaped gardens and fountain, with a haha separating it from the parkland, featuring its ancient Wellingtonia and other specimen trees. To the east of the house, terraced lawns sweep to the south and include an ornamental cherry walk, rose garden, and large stone terrace in front of the pool house. A further stone terrace wraps around two sides of the house. To the rear is a less formal garden. A large lawn flanked by a mature herbaceous border rises up a bank to a pretty trellised summerhouse, bordered by high, mellowed, red brick walls to two sides and tall clipped box, yew, and beech hedging to the other. A path through a copse leads round to the attractive, enclosed vegetable garden with its raised beds and large greenhouse. Just beyond is a second gravel driveway leading to Hunton Lodge. Tucked away behind a wall are the gardeners’ sheds and a brick-built, temperature-controlled wine store. At one end is a bridge playing room. The land is divided into paddocks, all with water supplied. A footpath runs up the second driveway, in front of Hunton Lodge, past the vegetable garden, exiting the land to the north just beyond. SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES Golf at the Royal Winchester Golf Club and The Hampshire Golf Club, amongst others. Fishing is available on the Rivers Test and Itchen, two of the country’s most renowned chalk streams. Sailing on the Hamble and the Solent. Shooting on neighbouring estates with easy access to Dorset and Devon, and racing at Newbury. SCHOOLING There are highly regarded schools nearby, both independent and state, including Winchester College, St. Swithun’s School for Girls, Beadales, Peter Symonds College and Prince’s Mead. Twyford and Pilgrim’s prep schools, Farleigh School, Princes Mead, Perins at Alresford, and Peter Symonds Sixth Form College are also within reach. SITUATION Architecturally imposing, Hunton Manor sits magnificently in an elevated position with southerly views over its gardens and parkland, and down the valley towards the River Dever. Within a conservation area and situated on the edge of the beautiful South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with its rolling chalk downlands and wooded heaths, the Manor is surrounded by some of the loveliest Hampshire countryside. Nearby Sutton Scotney provides for everyday needs. Historic Winchester offers more extensive shopping, with its weekly and monthly food, farmers’, antiques, and art and design markets, as well as many independent shops. It also boasts a wealth of cultural opportunities to enjoy. There is a Waitrose and Sainsbury’s in the town. The pretty and charming town of Stockbridge (under nine miles away), with its wide Georgian High Street, offers an abundance of independent shops, delis, pubs, restaurants, and cafés. Communications are excellent. The M3 provides good links to London, the M25 and Heathrow Airport, and the M27 for the South Coast. Train services from Micheldever station take about an hour.