Society of Bexhill Museums

ON September 30 members and friends of the museum had a further outing to the National Trust property, Uppark, near Petersfield, Hampshire. The day was fine and after a good journey we arrived in time for coffee and biscuits.

There followed a special guided tour of the “below stairs” area of the house, laid out as it would have been in the 1880s when the mother of author HG Wells was Uppark’s housekeeper.

The guides were excellent, and it was fascinating to go along underground passageways between the main house and the kitchens, located in a separate building.

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Uppark has been the home of the Fetherstonhaugh family since 1747, although it was built in the late 17th century as a tranquil, intimate property, set high on the South Downs with magnificent sea views.

In 1989 there was a devastating fire which destroyed a large part of the house, although many of the treasures on the ground floor - collected on Grand Tours - were rescued. Skilled craftsmen and conservators have since restored the house to its former glory.

After the tour of the basement we had free time to have lunch or a picnic before exploring the rest of the house and gardens whose design was inspired by Humphrey Repton . We set off for home at 4pm and looked back on a fascinating day enjoyed by all.