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The Historic
Buildings Section was formed in 1982 as a specialist group within the Society
in order that this aspect of the Society's work might be carried out more
effectively. The section aims to bring together people with a common interest
in the historic buildings of Hampshire, to promote research and help beginners,
to encourage awareness of the County's architectural heritage, and to help
preserve threatened structures of architectural or historic value. To this end
we organise a varied programme of Winter lectures and
visits to historic buildings. Reports on various topics of interest appear in the Newsletter. Bill Fergie, the Historic Buildings Newsletter Editor, would welcome contributions via email: historic-buildings(at)hantsfieldclub.org.uk(replace the (at) with the @ sign).
Events in 2026
Foxlease Park on Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, at 1:45 for 2pm
A view of some of the ‘best Georgian Gothick work in the county’
Foxlease is a little known country house just outside Lyndhurst with 16th Century origins as a Forest Keeper’s Lodge. It is notable for its interiors described by Pevsner as the ‘best Georgian Gothick work in the county’. These were created in the 1770s for Sir Philip Jennings Clarke, a friend of Horace Walpole, the builder of Strawberry Hill, Twickenham.
The estate was given to the Girl Guide Association in 1922. In 2023, Girlguiding decided to sell the site which was bought by the ‘Foxie’s Future’ Charity in November, 2024, after a massive fund-raising campaign. At present part of the site is open and restoration is starting on the mansion itself.
We are having a special tour of the house by Corrie Newell, a conservation architect. This will be followed by tea/coffee and homemade cake. Please arrive at the site by 1:45pm with the first tour starting promptly at 2pm. Please note: hard hats may be required for the tour but these will be provided.
NB: The tour is limited to 12 people but if there are sufficient numbers there will be a second tour at 3pm, preceded by refreshments. Please book by Tuesday, 5th May so catering arrangements can be finalised.
The visit will cost £12 for members and £14 for non-members, including refreshments. Places can be booked at TicketSource. Any dietary requirements, or if you wish to pay by cheque, please email dilgeoffs@btinternet.com.
Address & Directions: Foxlease Park, Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, SO43 7DE. Turn right off the A337 to Brockenhurst just south of Lyndhurst, opposite Midforest Veterinary Practice. There is plenty of parking onsite. There is an hourly bus service between Lymington and Southampton, Bluestar-6, with stops at Foxlease and Brockenhurst Station.
The exterior of Foxlease Park
Current programme - a full listing of
all events organised by the different sections of the Hampshire Field Club and
Archaeological Society. Find out about the Historic Buildings Section events in 2024 and the events in 2025.
The Historic Buildings Section sponsors the continuing Hampshire Medieval Graffiti Project: a report of the survey, completed in November 2024, for St John the Baptist, New Alresford is available.
Significant Publication - Hampshire Houses 1250 - 1700: Their Dating & Development by Edward Roberts, which was published by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust in 2023. A copy of the revised and updated edition can by obtained from the HBPT using the information on the attached pdf.
YouTube Video - Watch the 2022 lecture by Bill Fergie on: Traditional Houses of the Worthy Villages
Find out about significant people and previous events put on by Historic Buildings.
Members enjoy a visit to Longbridge Mill, Sherfield-on-London in November 2022.
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