Somerley Explained

Somerley
Location:Ellingham, Harbridge and Ibsley
Location Country:United Kingdom
Coordinates:50.8714°N -1.806°W
Completion Date:c. 1795
Architect:Samuel Wyatt
Owner:Earl of Normanton
Map Type:United Kingdom Hampshire
Designations:Grade II* listed
Website:https://somerley.com/

Somerley is a large Georgian Grade II* listed English country house that is situated in the civil parish of Ellingham and Harbridge with Ibsley in the New Forest district in Hampshire, England. It is 2 miles (3 km) west of the New Forest National Park.[1] The nearest town is Ringwood, which lies approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) south-east from the House, just east of the River Avon.

Somerley House is perched overlooking the Estate. The River Avon meanders through this vast 7,000 acre Somerley Estate, providing a wildlife rich environment for a diverse range of habitats including; parkland, water meadows and woodland. The Estate features a walled garden and an ancient woodland.

The house is the home of the seventh Earl of Normanton. It was designed by English architect Samuel Wyatt in 1792–1795, and the house became the property of Lord Normanton's family in 1825. In 1850 a 90ft picture gallery was added to house the family's paintings and collections; today this space is used for events. It is not open to the public although it is available for weddings, filming, and corporate and private event hire.[2]

The house was a filming location for the 1983 TV adaptation of Mansfield Park and more recently portrayed Highgrove House in the Netflix series, The Crown. In addition, Somerley served as a filming location for the first season of the TV show Bridgerton. It also served as a filming location for the Amazon Prime Video original Red, White & Royal Blue.

Somerley Park is home to a golf club.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.new-forest-national-park.com/new-forest-national-park-map.html New Forest National Park map
  2. Web site: Somerley, Private Hire.
  3. Web site: Somerley Park Golf Club.