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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
Southampton’s ancient monuments revisited: Sunday 9th August 2026 at 10.00 am
Follow in the footsteps of the founding members of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society to see how Southampton’s medieval remains have survived numerous threats over the last 140 years and are now benefitting from major capital investment. Includes a visit to a long stretch of the north town wall with three towers made fully accessible for the first time since the 1540s.
This guided tour will last approximately 2 hours. It will highlight the Field Club’s involvement in saving some of the finest monuments and how they are being conserved for future generations - from the Bargate and the Town Walls to the Norman houses and the medieval wine vaults.
Jo Bailey, Southampton City Council’s Monuments and Memorials Officer, will lead the tour. Prior to being with the City Council Jo was an archaeologist in Winchester before moving into the museums sector in Hampshire and the south east. She studied Archaeology at the University of Southampton and worked on excavations in other parts of the UK and Europe. She is also a former President of the Field Club.
We will meet on the south side of the Bargate, under the sign saying “Meeting Point” at 9:50am for the tour to start promptly at 10am. NB The tour is limited to 25 people so early booking is recommended.
The visit will cost £5 for members and £8 for non-members. Places can be booked at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/hantsfieldclubhistoricbuildings.
If you wish to pay by cheque, please email Karen Wardley.
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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