MEONSTOKE House has joined the smart set. This property was always handsome,
and is delightfully situated in the Meon valley on the border of Hampshire
and Sussex, but it used to have the air of a tired Georgian rectory. In the
hands of its present owners, James and Philippa Thorp – he is an architect,
she a designer – a judicious extension of the grounds, clever landscaping
and a sophisticated makeover of the interior have bestowed upon it the
trimmings of a grand country seat.
Turning off the road down a discreet drive near Petersfield, Hampshire, you
park on a large expanse of gravel in front of a new columned porch in
unblemished Portland stone. As the sun was shining, I walked to the door in
the long, red-brick garden wall to admire the garden front. Here the land
falls sharply away to the River Meon and has been formed into a series of
stepped terraces planted in a formal French manner. By the house a row of
perfectly clipped cylinders of hornbeam stand to attention like Guardsmen.
Plane trees are being formed into umbrellas with metal frames. On the lowest
terrace a line of neat cones of yew grow from the gravel in archetypal
French fashion. A pale aquamarine swimming pool and pleached alley complete
the Provençal mood.
The emerald green turf sweeps down to a new lake, the grass forming a perfect
edge as it meets the water in a graceful serpentine curve. The temptation is
to walk round the lake, beckoned by a series of pretty new bridges crossing
the water. The promenade continues along the river, crossing onto an island
and then returning by way of a gently humped bridge broad enough to drive a
garden tractor over to mow the island.
The Grade II listing states that Meonstoke House is late 18th-century. Yet the
garden front, with its steep hipped roof and tall chimneys in the end walls,
looks early 18th century rather than late, while the stonework of garden
door and window above hint at some clever later refacing. The centre is
pleasantly extended by 19th-century wings on both sides in matching red
brick. A trio of french windows opening from the kitchen on to the garden
terrace makes for effortless alfresco eating.
The French feel continues inside the house. Instead of the usual pair of rooms
on either side of the entrance hall, you step into a reception hall running
the length of the original house. This provides a large room for
entertaining, which is much in demand today. The sales particulars of 1901
show that it was already in existence then. The Thorps have introduced
French stone fireplaces at either end and paved the floor in blond limestone.
The hall opens into a large drawing room overlooking the garden lined with
early 18th-century “raised and fielded” panelling. Next to it is a snuggery,
where the pine panelling has been stripped. A corner window beside the
fireplace gives the room a double aspect balanced by a handsome niche. The
28ft-long dining room on the west side of the hall has the main window at
the end, rather in the manner of the poop of a ship.
The kitchen at the other end of the hall is a large, all-purpose room –
another popular feature nowadays. It has windows on both sides, as well as
its own entrance to bring in the shopping, and it is large enough for sofas,
bookcases, a dining table and a large island with hob. There are eye-level
Gaggenau ovens, broad enough for a very large roast, and the large fridge
and freezer are cleverly set just out of sight in a lobby by the kitchen
door.
Careful space planning ensures that every square foot of the house is put to
advantageous use. The half basement is rather a masculine realm with a gun
room, wine store, study-office, boot room and billiard room opening through
a side door into the garden.
These days, with country houses in the £5 million-plus league, a master
bedroom is not nearly enough – it has to be a suite. Here the shoe cupboard
is large enough for an Imelda Marcos, its length cleverly multiplied by
mirrors. In the large dressing room beyond, the cupboards all around have no
doors, so the clothes became part of the display. There are three more
bedrooms on the first floor, and a staff flat in the wing.
The attic has been cleverly converted into a children’s realm large enough to
continue to serve as they grow up, get married and have their own children.
The trick has been to open the ceilings to the rafters, almost doubling the
volume of space. Extra daylight is provided by Velux windows set on the
inner side of the valley roof. These open electrically, with the added
flourish of motorised blinds.
Architecturally the house is a puzzle. The quoins at the corners do not
continue on the first floor. Yet this is not part of the recent makeover but
is visible in 1901 sale particulars, which suggests that the house was then
rendered.
The village is also a curiosity. There are no big houses in the village –
Meonstoke House is the largest. This is explained by the fact that in 1384
the lordship of the Manor of Meonstoke was given by William of Wykeham, the
Bishop of Winchester, to Winchester College, which has held it ever since.
Meonstoke House was the rectory and apparently remained so until 1893, when
it was acquired by the Macrae family. When offered for sale in 1901 it
belonged to the Hon Frederick Baring.
Although the adjoining stable block is now in separate ownership, Meonstoke is
a secluded domain with quick access to the nearby main road, set in rolling,
well-wooded countryside.
FACTFILE
WHAT YOU GET: Grade II listed Georgian house, with eight bedrooms, set
in 34 acres of grounds beside the River Meon. Swimming pool, tennis court,
stables, fishing. In all 11,109 sq ft.
WHERE IT IS: Meonstoke, Hampshire. Eleven miles from Petersfield, 12
miles from Winchester, 67 from London.
SCHOOLS: Winchester College; Bedales.
WHERE TO EAT: JSW, Petersfield; Old House, Wickham; Chesil Rectory,
Winchester.
PRICE: £8 million, through Knight Frank 020-7629 8171, www.knightfrank.co.uk
