September October November 2014

In the house and around the grounds...Discover hidden Mottisfont

MottisfontDiscover

Go behind the scenes and explore newly opened spaces at Mottisfont this autumn, discovering untold stories as part of our new project Storyscape.

We've partnered with theatre designers Bicât&Rigby to restore and open up the servants' corridor for the first time, and create evocative new interpretation all around the estate. The maids' rooms and scullery take you into a world below stairs, whilst the glamorous White Bedroom introduces you to life as one of Maud and Gilbert Russell's illustrious weekend guests. Squint through the bathroom peep hole and you might see Maud's famous crocodile!

Find out what life was like when Mottisfont was a medieval priory, in a new exhibition in recently revealed medieval spaces, and watch as 3-dimensional animations show just how

dramatically the building changed over the years. There's lots of information for fact-lovers, while playful types (of all ages) can explore through dressing up, games and building blocks that allow you to recreate the house – or change it!

We’re creating 34 new story points including an atmospheric potting shed which explores the gentle world of rose growing and gardeners. A peek into a 19th-century loosebox sees preparations for a day's hunting. Along the river a thatched fishing hut reveals a glimpse into the halcyon days of fly-fishing. New wild play areas inspired by the diaries of children who lived here in the past give kids a chance to climb and mess about with water. Come to Mottisfont this autumn and see how many new stories you discover.

Artist Louise O'Reilly has spent three months at Mottisfont, researching the early history of the priory and immersing herself in the world of medieval illustration and map-making.

Through daily sketching walks, she has explored the whole estate and its treasures, both natural and man-made, and has produced a series of highly detailed, jewel-like watercolours of key objects. These have become part of a beautiful 'new' medieval map that Louise has created, the Mappa Mottisfont. Louise also worked with local school children as they designed an illuminated alphabet, full of mythical creatures that twine around each letter. You can see Mappa Mottisfont and related work as part of a new display on the ground floor of the house, close to the East Porch entrance and the café.

Mappa Mottisfont

25 October to 2 November

Steel yourself for some scary half-term fun, when you pick up our Monstrous Trail. Explore the nooks and crannies of the garden and see if you can uncover its secret world of mythical beasties, monsters and spirits.

In the Café .... Our Kitchen Café is getting a make over

For a few weeks this autumn we are closing down our Kitchen Café for refurbishment. We are planning to create a more efficient café, maximising seating and space to make your visit more enjoyable. We will still have lots of yummy food and drinks on offer throughout this time, as our café service will be temporarily located in the stable yard while the works are going on.

We can't wait to show you the finished results!

For more details about our events, call 01794 340757, email mottisfont@nationaltrust.org.ukor visit us at nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont

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This exhibition is 'open' to all artists, full or part-time, who this year have submitted work on a wide range of themes and in all sorts of media, from landscapes to portraits, sculpture to textiles. Poppies have featured as a common theme this year, as a number of artists commemorate in different ways the centenary of the start of the First World War. A panel of curators and gallery directors from the region have selected the work on show – come and see what made the final cut. All the works are for sale, and will be available for collection well before Christmas.

In the Gallery...Mottisfont Open Show 201427 September - 16 November

From our artist-in-residence…

In the gardens...Dazzling displays of autumn colour

Throughout this season Mottisfont is ablaze with vibrant colour as reds, oranges and gold shades fill the grounds as the leaves change on our stately plane trees and beech trees. One of the stars of the show is the

with Storyscape

hornbeam which explodes into a canopy of orange and scarlet. The garden's two tulip trees also come into their own in autumn, as their acid green summer foliage turns a magnificent pale gold.

Outdoors and in the New Forest ...

Autumn Colour Walk at Rockford7 September, 10am-1pm, £5.

Orchard Walk at Mottisfont11 & 18 September, 2-3pm, £3.

Fungi Foray27th October, 9-10.30am at Foxbury, 11.30am-1pm at Spearywell, £5.

Tree Planting at Foxbury9th & 30th November, 10am-3pm, free.

Forest Play at Foxbury28 October, 10.30am-1pm. Children £5, Adults £2.50.

Wild Bushcraft29 October, 10am-12pm & 1-3pm. Adults £3, Children £6, Family £20

Mottisfont Big Draw 25 October 12-4pm, free.

Half-term at Monstrous Mottisfont Fill your senses with autumn colour in the great outdoors. It's the best time to

dust off those walking boots, get involved with the Great British Walk and seek out the fruits of autumn.

You can also bring the kids along to Louise's Big Draw session on Saturday 25 October, 12 – 4pm (free), and make your own beastly illuminated letters.