Rooted in tradition

A landscape previously used for intensive farming has been turned into the setting of an idyllic new country house in a classical idiom

- Jeremy Musson

THE success of a new country house depends, in large part, on how it reads within its landscape setting and Wield Park, near Alresford in Hampshire, designed by Francis Terry and completed in 2020, is an inspiring example of a house rooted in the history and character of its surroundings. It shows exactly what can be achieved in a project of close collaboration between a far-sighted client, an experienced architect and a top landscape designer. At the core of its story is the revival of the landscape to designs by Christian Sweet of Colson Stone Practice. To come across its newly planted parkland, its expansive curved lake and carefully judged parkland tree plantings, is to enjoy a vision of inspired design and land management that imparts a 21st-century Reptonian thrill.

In this project, Mr Terry worked closely with the clients, Andrew and Arabella Dunn. As a highly experienced residential developer, Mr Dunn relished the challenge of a new country house, which he instinctively felt should be of a traditional character. At Wield Park, he and the architect sought to create a home in the spirit of a Hampshire manor house of the late 17th century, but with generous modern plan forms and light and airy interiors. In this sense, we might describe Wield Park as the very essence of the ‘English country house revisited’ in the 21st century. The previous use of the site for intensive agricultural purposes had left a badly scarred and degraded environment, served by a modest modern brick farmhouse. For those who can remember that lost view, the transformation is almost unbelievable.