The magnificent Melchet Court now has a role as St Edward’s boarding school for boys ‘who experience social, emotional and mental health difficulties.’ It is run by a Roman Catholic Charitable Incorporated Organisation, affiliated to Clifton diocese.
It provides a structured environment for boys, many of whom come from somewhat chaotic backgrounds, and has considerable academic success with them.
This is a very different role for the building and estate which has a history of ownership by the wealthy and titled.
During the Middle Ages Melchet was part of the royal estate, associated with nearby Clarendon Forest. Its timber was of great value and gifts of oak were made to the Abbess of Romsey, amongst others, in the 13th century.
As a royal forest, it contained many deer, who were allowed to roam, to the great disadvantage of the neighbouring peasants of Plaitford, Whiteparish, Sherfield English and Landford, on whose crops they browsed freely. As compensation though, I suspect, only partial, the inhabitants of these parishes were allowed commoners’ rights in Melchet.
It was not until the late 16th century that the park was enclosed and the deer no longer protected. At that time it was still part of the royal estate.
The estate was sold in the 17th century and after passing through several hand was bought in 1792 by Major John Osborne. He erected a Hindu temple in the grounds which was demolished before 1900. He also planted many cedars and some rare foreign trees.
Osborne’s house was replaced in the mid-19th century by the second Lord Ashburton and completed by his widow. Lord Ashburton was son of Alexander Baring, of the banking firm, the first Lord Ashburton. The plans for the house are held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Part of this house was destroyed by fire in 1873 shortly after its completion.
After Lady Ashburton died, the estate, which by then included much of Sherfield English came on the market in1911 and was bought by Sir Alfred Mond, the first chairman of ICI. When raised to the peerage in 1928, he took the title Baron Melchett of Landford. He extended Melchet Court with an annexe, known as the Mond Wing.
He died in 1930 and the estate was put up for sale in 1935. Melchet Court and 182 acres were sold as one lot. The house and estate properties are described in detail. There is no report of the sale, but Melchet Court was never again a private residence.
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