Merchiston Hall 106 Portsmouth Rd Horndean

Merchistoun Hall is a Grade II Listed Building located in four acres of beautiful wooded grounds in Horndean Village,Hampshire. It has played a pivotal role in the shaping of the village of Horndean over the last two centuries. The former manor house of Sir Admiral Charles Napier was built in circa 1745. During the Second World War the house and grounds became the headquarters for 30 Corps – an armoured unit of the Royal Artillery. The Army was billeted in the grounds. Having been bought in 1942 by AW White & Company, after 1945 it was used as a furniture store. During this time 37 acres were purchased by Petersfield Rural District Council for housing; MerchistounHall, the Gardeners Cottage and the walled garden remained. Horndean Community Association was formed in 1946 and their activities were limited without their own centre. When Merchistoun Hall came on the market again in the early 1950’s Admiral AJL Murray who was the Secretary of the Association, urged them to raise the funds needed to purchase the Hall. Every house in the village was visited, and together with the villagers’ generous gifts or loans the £5,000 was raised. The centre was officially opened on the 31st January 1956 by the then Chairman of Hampshire County Council, Mr Alan Lubbock. The Centre catered for all age groups and provided a wide range of activities. The Fetes became the highlight of the year, and were opened by such celebrities as Arthur English, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellars. Admiral Murray’s portrait is in pride of place in the main hallway. Today ….. Merchistoun has retained its old world charm and opens its doors to hundreds of visitors from the both local and wider communities. The Grounds still boasts laid lawns framed by majestic trees and the estate still provides today a wonderful setting for weddings and a side variety of community uses