ENGLISH HOME
Perfect the art of country house interiors
BEAUTIFUL IDEAS FOR A NATURAL CLASSIC
• Heavenly Hampshire
• Cottage garden blooms
From a cow barn in Somerset to a grand Cotswold newbuild Romancing the stone
• Sculptural outdoor art COUNTRY HOMES
Oak boards from Nutwood Flooring cover the floor in the open-plan kitchen and create a honey-toned base. The existing units were simply repainted in Sage Green by Little Greene and treated to new handles.
A WARM WELCOME
Mellow paint shades, tactile timbers and evocative patterns come together in a comfortable mix in Deborah and Jim Scott’s Sussex farmhouse
JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHY RACHAEL SMITH
FEATURE
A taste of PROVENCE
Tom and Pippa Godber-Ford Moore have breathed new life into a crumbling cow barn to create an enchanting, characterful haven
FEATURE JANET MCMEEKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BELLE DAUGHTRY
The large wooden veranda has been cleverly zoned into several seating and eating areas. Stripy lampshades add a contemporary twist, while the doors and windows in Little Greene’s Grey Stone evoke a Provençal feel. The wooden dining table and rattan dining chairs are from Garden Trading.
NATURE In tune with NATURAL
Enjoy the tasty harvests and beautiful sights of August
FEATURE KATY MCLEAN
SPECTACLE
Our countryside is a sight to behold at the height of summer. If weather conditions have been favourable for arable farming, swaying crops of wheat, corn, oats and barley will be ripening in fields, their golden hues heralding the approach of harvest. Whether enjoyed from country lanes or along public footpaths, these glorious landscapes offer a glimpse of rural Britain at its finest. Here, the scene is made all the more captivating by a distant view of Highclere Castle, nestled in the North Wessex Downs in Hampshire. Discover more of the county’s treasures in our Hampshire travel guide on p122.
Highlights of HAMPSHIRE
Boasting world-famous castles, ancient forests, picture-perfect villages and charming coastal towns, plan a trip around Hampshire with our insightful insider guide
FEATURE JANET MCMEEKIN
Wild ponies roam freely across the New Forest’s ancient heathland, adding timeless charm to this cherished Hampshire landscape.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Lepe Beach is a tranquil spot to relax; HMS Warrior at dusk at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard; Southampton’s Bargate is a timeless gateway to the city’s rich past; Highclere Castle, setting for the hit television series, Downton Abbey
Gardens
Head to the magical New Forest National Park to explore its ancient woodland and heathland, where ponies and cattle wander free.
Hampshire is also celebrated for beautiful gardens such as Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, an arboretum with more than 42,000 trees and shrubs within 180 acres of stunning grounds. Equally spectacular is Exbury Gardens, created by the Rothschild family, offering colourful displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, plus a steam railway.
The county also boasts several National Trust properties including Mottisfont, near Romsey, Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, and The Vyne, close to Basingstoke. In charming Selborne, check out Gilbert White’s House and Gardens at the former home of the pioneering naturalist.
Interiors emporiums
In the thriving market town of Stockbridge, George Clark is a must-visit store offering fabrics, wallpapers, ceramics and home accessories. The Consortium, with branches in Winchester and Romsey, is popular for classic furniture, lighting and homewares.
The delightful Alresford Linen Company has a tempting array of soft furnishings and stylish womenswear, while, just a short drive from Alresford, The Long Barn is a family-run lifestyle store with a popular cafe. In Old Portsmouth’s converted historic arches, discover artists, designers and makers selling