Avington Park

The main house at Avington Park dates back to 961, and since the reign of King Henry VIII, has been the party palace for those of royal privilege. It is a house of very handsome distinction, and offers an unforgettable stay. The house’s flexible accommodation and spectacular reception rooms, make it perfect for high-concept parties and weddings.

Reception Rooms

The reception rooms at Avington really are fine, and can be set up to host even the most ambitious of events.

The King Charles Hall

Perfect for those moments of respite from the larger, more formal rooms, or for pre-dinner drinks. The room can also be set for a wedding ceremony, seating 50 guests.

The Versailles Ballroom

The largest of the reception rooms is the ballroom, which can seat up to 110 guests in a ceremony, or up to 100 for a feast. It’s a room of great beauty – the ceiling was painted in the seventeenth century by the Italian Antonio Verrio, who worked on the Palace of Versailles.

The Library

The Library (beautifully book-lined, as you’d expect) is a great space for either dancing or dining. It can hold up to 120 to dance, or can be used for dining, for around 70 guests. It shares a terrace with the Orangery, and the two rooms work very well for the same party.

The Orangery

The Orangery is a great space for dining, surrounded by pleached lemon and lime trees. It’s set against the south of the house, and can seat up to 200. Tables can be set up outside on the terrace, either in the open air, or beneath a marquee.

About the Accommodation

There are twenty bedrooms within private, residential apartments, each with their own kitchen and bathroom.

The Duchess Chandos Suite (sleeps 2)

The Duchess Chandos Suite sleeps two people in luxurious splendour. The apartment is to the front of the house, and overlooks the park and lake. As well as the bedroom, there’s a large dressing room, and a bathroom with a claw-footed bath. There’s also a drawing room, and a kitchen with dining table.

George IV Apartment (sleeps 4)

The apartment sleeps four people in two bedrooms, with two bathrooms and a little kitchenette. The rooms overlook the South Law, towards the Octagonal Coade stone fountain, and the orangeries.

The Elizabethan Apartment (sleeps 6)

The Elizabethan Apartment is set over two floors, and faces Avington’s medieval courtyard, and the main courtyard. It has views towards the River Itchen. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as a small drawing room, and kitchen with a dining table.

The Tudor Apartment (sleeps 10)

The Tudor Apartments are also reached through the Italian Gardens, and incorporate ‘the Batchelors’ Flat’. There are five bedrooms in the apartment, sleeping ten guests. There are four bathrooms between the rooms, and a kitchen with a table. There’s also a drawing room.

The Courtyard Apartment (sleeps 8)

Although The Courtyard Apartment is in the main house, its entrance leads in through the Italian Gardens. It has four bedrooms, sleeping eight guests, sharing two bathrooms. There’s also a galley kitchen with a table and benches, and a sitting room, overlooking the garden.

The Butler’s Apartment (sleeps 2)

The Butler’s Apartment is a cosy little hideaway, set beneath sloping ceilings. There’s one bedroom (sleeps two), a bathroom, then kitchen and sitting room.

The Pavilion (sleeps 4)

The Pavilion is the estate’s old creamery, and has been restored to a charming two bedroom apartment. It sits across the lawn from the main house, and its French windows open straight onto its own garden. There’s a large kitchen, and a dining table for eight, plus two sitting rooms (there are also two bathrooms).

Ivy Cottage (sleeps 8)

Ivy Cottage sits away from the main house, on the edge of the estate. It has three bedrooms and can sleep up to eight guests (there are two bathrooms). There’s a kitchen with a dining table, a sitting room with wood-burning stove, and a private garden.

The Grounds

The house is set within 150 acres of parkland and farmland. There are two enormous lawns, the Front Lawn and South Lawn, both with far-reaching views (the fountain is to be found on the South Lawn). There’s a wrought-iron bridge crossing the River Itchen, and a lake.

Edmund’s Choice of Extraordinary Feature

“It’s very difficult with a house as magnificent as Avington, to choose just one aspect as my favourite. It’s perhaps the overall promise of the place that truly excites – the possibility of a party that will be blow the socks off all of its guests.”

About the Location

Avington Park is near the small village of Avington, just a 10 minute drive from Winchester city centre. The nearest train station is Winchester central, where there is a direct train to London waterloo.

Things To Do

The estate itself offers plenty of diversions, such as Cocktail Masterclass, clay pigeon shooting, messing about on the river (there are boats to row and rods to wield). There are also lots of walking and cycling routes.