Introduction
Armsworth Park House has a small park landscape dating from before 1810. It was expanded in the mid-19th century with the development of a new house and garden. The southern part of the new house was demolished mid-20th century, but the layout of the park and gardens remain relatively intact and retain much of their original character.
There have been alterations to the house with the removal of the southern part, some time between 1961 and 1977. However, the layout of the park, garden, and grounds has changed very little from that shown on the 19th-century Ordnance Survey maps, although now in divided ownership. The drive remains in the same position, most of the park is still grazed pasture with a number of parkland trees and it is still enclosed by woodland belts and hedgerows including to the north by the Long Plantation. The parkland trees are mainly oak with some beech, lime, ash, and sycamore. Many of the original garden features have been retained and the original front door steps.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
Armsworth Park House is Grade II listed mid-19th century house set within a parkland of about 20.25 hectares (50 acres). On Milne's map of 1791 a substantial house and other buildings are identified as Lower Harmsworth in the possession of the ‘Hon. Cap'n. Rodney'. This house was probably on the site of the present Armsworth Park Farm. This is later named as Armsworth House on the 1st edition 1" Ordnance Survey map (dating from around 1817).
The Tithe map of 1839 shows the estate was owned by Lord Rodney, the owner of Old Alresford House, who retained the woodland but let out the house and grounds and two fields to General Thackary. The rest was let to Richard Bailey Whitear. The pasture field named ‘The Lawn' suggests that a small park had been established which confirms that indicated on the Ordnance Survey map of around 1808.
About 1862 a new house was built to the north probably for Thomas Alderman Houghton. It was described ‘as in the Italian renaissance style surrounded by a well timbered park of fifty acres'.
Period
- Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
- Victorian (1837-1901)
- Features & Designations
Designations
The National Heritage List for England: Listed Building
- Reference: Armsworth House
- Grade: II
Features
- Drive
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- Kitchen Garden
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- Shelter Belt
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- Orchard
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- Manor House (featured building)
- Description: The southern part of the new house was demolished in the mid-20th century.
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- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
Post Medieval (1540 to 1901)
Survival
Extant
Hectares
20.25
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Old Alresford