Broadlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broadlands |
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Broadlands, c. 2008
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| Type | Country house |
| Location | Romsey |
| OS grid reference | SU 35391 20242 |
| Area | Hampshire |
| Built | 1767 |
| Architect | Henry Holland Capability Brown |
| Architectural style(s) | Palladian |
| Owner | The 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name: Broadlands House | |
| Designated | 29 May 1957 |
| Reference no. | 1166489 |
| Official name: Broadlands | |
| Designated | 31 May 1984 |
| Reference no. | 1000166 |
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Broadlands is a beautiful old country house in England. It is located near the town of Romsey in Hampshire. This historic home and its amazing gardens are very important.
The house itself is a "Grade I listed building." This means it is considered to be of exceptional historical interest. The formal gardens and the land around Broadlands are also special. They are listed as "Grade II*," showing their great historical importance.
Contents
History of Broadlands House
Early Owners and Changes
The land where Broadlands stands has a very long history. Before the Norman Conquest in 1066, the area belonged to Romsey Abbey. This was a powerful monastery.
After the "Dissolution of the Monasteries" in the 1500s, the King took control of many church lands. Broadlands was then sold in 1547 to Sir Francis Fleming.
Later, the property passed to the St. Barbe family. They owned Broadlands for over a hundred years. Sir John St Barbe, who lived from about 1655 to 1723, made many improvements to the house. He had no children, so he left Broadlands to his cousin, Humphrey Sydenham.
New Owners and Design Changes
In 1736, Humphrey Sydenham sold Broadlands to Henry Temple, 1st Viscount Palmerston. This happened after Sydenham lost a lot of money in a financial crisis.
The 1st Viscount Palmerston began to change the gardens. He wanted them to look more natural, with a gentle slope down to the river.
In 1767, a big redesign of the house began. It was led by two famous people. Capability Brown was a well-known landscape architect. He was famous for designing beautiful natural-looking gardens. Henry Holland was an architect who completed the house's transformation.
They turned Broadlands into the grand Palladian-style mansion you see today. This style is known for its balance and classical look. Between 1767 and 1780, they finished the garden work and made many improvements to the land.
Broadlands was also the home of Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. He was a very important person in the 1800s, serving as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Royal Connections at Broadlands
Broadlands has a special connection to the British Royal Family. In November 1947, Princess Elizabeth (who later became Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Philip spent their honeymoon here.
At that time, Broadlands was the home of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. He was Prince Philip's uncle.
Years later, in 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana also began their honeymoon at Broadlands. They stayed for three days before traveling elsewhere.
Broadlands Today
Broadlands is currently the home of the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
You can visit the house during the summer months. Guided tours are offered on weekday afternoons. It's a great chance to see this historic home for yourself.
In 2004, the Irish pop band Westlife even held a concert at Broadlands. It was part of their "Turnaround Tour."
