Museum - Mottisfont, National Trust

UPDATE 29/12/20 - The gardens are open, & the café is open for takeaway refreshments. House & shop are now closed. We advise sturdy footwear or wellies for your visit. To avoid disappointment, please book your visit in advance. If you do not book, we cannot guarantee admission.

UPDATE 12PM: Unfortunately it is still unsafe for us to reopen, Mottisfont will remain closed 28.12.20. Please check back here for details for tomorrow. Please contact Eventbrite for any queries about your booking. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Due to snow and ice, Mottisfont will be closed the morning of 28.12.20. We will be reviewing the situation at 12pm. Please check our website and social media for an updates.

Looking for a Boxing Day walk? Take a stroll through the Hampshire countryside with our estate trails, from short saunters to a 6-mile stretch:nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont//winter-walks-at-mottisfont

2021 began with a moment of calm - our gardens dressed in crisp, quiet frost. As we take our first steps into a new year, we would like to thank everyone for their support and patience over the past months, and we look forward to welcoming you safely in future.

A very merry Christmas to you and yours, from all of us at Mottisfont.

Today on Advent Sunday, we mark the beginning of the festive season by lighting the first candle on the Advent Wreath - the candle of hope. Like many families, we have been busy dressing the Christmas trees, wrapping garlands around the fire places and creating beautiful festive decorations for the gardens. We will have more news about our festive plans this week, but we hope to enjoy Christmas with you all very soon!

Those crisp, almost-winter mornings with a chill in the air... time for a brisk walk, with leaves crunching underfoot. We look forward to welcoming everyone who'll be with us for the weekend ahead. We recommend booking for Saturdays and Sundays: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont Please note that booking closes at 3pm the day before the visit.

The startling colour of callicarpa bodiniera or 'beauty berry' always draws visitors into the winter garden...

Mottisfont's woodlands are one of just a few known breeding sites for the threatened barbastelle bat. From tree canopies to river systems, the diversity of our estate provides these and many other protected species with vital habitats and feeding grounds. Thanks to your support, our rangers can manage the land to help them thrive. Donate to our nature appeal today: http://ow.ly/Ex2m50BKXwV #EveryoneNeedsNature

Take an imaginative journey through Mottisfont's architectural layers with Casting Light, by Anna Heinrich & Leon Palmer. Originally created to be shown inside the house, you can now experience this mesmerising work from the comfort of home: nationaltrust.org.uk//casting-light-installation-at-mottis

We've got spaces available for visiting and the gardens are glowing in soft autumn sunshine. No need to book today - just come along. We'd love to see you again. Photograph by Simon Newman.

Glorious gold birch leaves are glimmering beyond the font. The rich colours of autumn are starting to unfurl across our gardens: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfo//autumn-colour-at-mottisfont

The last autumn leaves linger on as we look towards December... We've got plenty of space midweek this week, so there's no need to book if you'd like to join us for your local walk. We would recommend booking if you're planning a weekend visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

Throughout its long history, Mottisfont has been a place of contemplation and creativity. Join us now on a journey of inspiration with our Art of Autumn trail, highlighting points to pause and look around you in new ways. Bring a camera, journal, sketchbook - or simply immerse yourself in our landscape and history, taking the moment home to work in any medium you choose. nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfo//autumn-colour-at-mottisfont

We've not sold out today, so if you're passing and fancy calling in we'd love to see you. No need to book for today, just turn up. See you later. National Trust Images/Oskar Proctor

Even when skies are a little grey, kniphofia or 'red-hot pokers' glow brilliantly in the east lawn borders. Our gardens are a safe space for a socially-distanced stroll, with signs of autumn to spot: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

There are glimmers of golden light around the grounds as we greet the Autumn Equinox today. Tickets and walk-up spaces are available for exploring our gardens this week: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

Whether it's stepping in crunchy leaves or picking up shiny conkers, autumn is a season that inspires play. To celebrate this, we’re offering different nature-inspired activities for families every weekend until 1 November: nationaltrust.org.uk//features/visiting-mottisfont-with-yo Have a go at making leaf boats for floating down the river this Saturday and Sunday, 19-20 September. Why not try a race?

Sunflowers and cyclamen bask in golden September light. Discover little moments of joy in our gardens as we hover between the seasons. There are plenty of tickets available if you'd like to visit this week. Visit our website to book and find out more about what to expect: nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

Looking for a peaceful riverside walk? Book a ticket to visit our gardens, where hints of autumn are beginning to appear... there's plenty of space for afternoon visits. nationaltrust.org.uk//what-to-expect-from-your-visit-to-mo

Photograph by Simon Newman.

There's a change of seasons in the air as a new month begins: a hint of a chill in the mornings, and changing colours in the leaves. Our gardens are glorious in the height of autumn, when our ancient trees clothe themselves in rich hues of red and gold. What's your favourite thing about autumn?

Visiting with your family this bank holiday weekend? Look and listen out for wildlife in the water, grassy meadows, and among the plants of the Kitchen Garden with our summer holiday activity trail: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk//summer-holiday-activitie