On a sunny but cool day in April, with the Meon Valley Bus full to capacity, MVARA organised a trip to see Uppark house and gardens near South Harting. The house has only just been reopened after renovation work by the National Trust. The extensive house fire of 1989 destroyed all of the upper house, which has since been restored and is now occupied by part of the Meade family.. The house was originally built around 1690 but has undergone extension and upgrading over the centuries. It houses many paintings and furniture, collected during the Grand European Tours of the Victorian era. It has in the past hosted many lavish parties, with guests including the Prince Regent, George IV, and Lady Emma Hamilton and H.G. Wells. The surrounding gardens are in the style of architect and landscape designer Humphry Repton who transformed the property in the 19th century. The house was given to the NT in 1954. The group from MVARA were given an excellent tour of the house and learnt a great deal about the previous owners, their lives and the impact they had on the building. This was followed by a garden tour which highlighted the fabulous views across the South Downs. Although it is not a huge house, it is well worth a visit as the interiors and the landscape views are beautiful. Also, if you are an NT member, it is all free!.
