SUMMER AT HECKFIELD
A UK SUMMER GETAWAY IS CALLING...
Discover the beauty of summer spent in the English countryside.
From exploring the rolling hills, landscapes and manor houses that inspired the works of Jane Austen, to quintessential country pursuits like Clay Pigeon shooting, picnics, boating and more…
All just an hour from London.
A Jane Austen Summer
AS WE CELEBRATE THE 250th ANNIVERSARY OF JANE AUSTEN'S BIRTH, HECKFIELD OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH THE LITERARY HISTORY OF ONE OF ENGLAND'S MOST
BELOVED AUTHORS.
NESTLED IN THE HEART OF JANE AUSTEN COUNTRY, OUR GEORGIAN HOME IS THE PERFECT BASE TO REDISCOVER THE LANDSCAPES AND SETTINGS THAT INSPIRED HER TIMELESS WORKS.
VISIT HER FORMER HOME IN NEARBY CHAWTON, DIVE DEEPER WITH OUR APTLY TIMED ASSEMBLY TALKS, OR SIMPLY IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE BEAUTY OF THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE AND ITS
CLASSIC PURSUITS.
An Evening of Sense and Sensibility w/ Dame Emma Thompson - 31 August at 6 PM
We’re over the moon to welcome actress and screenwriter, Emma Thompson, for an introduction to a special screening of Sense and Sensibility – which she screenwrote, produced and acted in - along with a reading of diary entries from her time filming the adaptation of one of Austen’s most cherished works and time for questions and answers.
Places for this beautiful evening are £50 per person, and it is open to just resident guests and Friends.
Discover Jane Austen Country
Join our resident Jane Austen expert for the day, visiting the site of her birthplace, her Father’s church at Steventon and her former home in Chawton.
Explore the picturesque villages that Jane Austen knew, see the country houses where she danced, fell in and out of love and trace the people that she mentions in her letters, in memorials, in village churches and in a landscape remarkably unchanged since the 1770s.
'WHAT MATTERS IN JANE AUSTEN?' w/ John Mullan - 3 JULY at 7 PM
As part of our celebrations of the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, acclaimed author, broadcaster, journalist and professor, John Mullan,
joins us for a lecture on
‘What Matters in Jane Austen?’
He’ll share insight that takes a closer look at some of the more well-loved themes of Austen’s works and answer questions that reveal the brilliant intricacy
of Austen’s fiction.
Places are £25, and are open to all to book.
Explore the Estate and Gardens
A cherished part of Jane Austen's life, the outdoors - and in particular gardens - were an often used literary device in her works.
This milestone year makes it a fitting time to embark on a guided tour of our own estate and ornamental gardens at their most verdant time of year to learn about their history dating back to the 1800s, and our ethos as stewards of the land.
‘Unveiling Jane Austen’s Inner Circle' w/ Zoe Wheddon and Julia Wheeler - 24 July at 7 PM
Join us for an enlightening evening in conversation with local historian and teacher, Zoe Wheddon, and journalist and BBC interviewer, Julia Wheeler, as they delve into the intimate world of Jane Austen. Discover the profound influence of Austen's family and friends in shaping the beloved author we cherish today.
Places are £25, and are open to all to book.
Boating
Take one of our rowing boats out onto the Lower Lake to enjoy the peace and calm of the nature of the Heckfield Estate.
Add a picnic and make a day of it.
Available May to end of September.
12 Hours: The Story of Jane Austen’s Short Engagement - 14 AUGUST at 7 PM
‘Funny, pithy, lucid, witty and very moving. Very Jane.’ – Dame Emma Thompson
It’s December 1802. It is a big decision to say, “Yes,” to a marriage proposal. It is even a bigger decision to refuse the offer next morning. Especially if you are Jane Austen. This is the story of those twelve hours.
This 60-minute monologue play stars Charlotte Barnes and is written by local Jane Austen historian and tour guide,
Phil Howe.
Resident guests can book to experience a private tour with Phil to discover
Jane Austen country.
Places are £37.50, and are open to all to book.
Picnics
In the warmer months, head out to the lake or the woods or wherever takes your fancy for a relaxing afternoon.
Our favourite spot is underneath the willows of the Lower Lake, whiling away the afternoon as the Georgians did.
Picnics are priced from £95 for two, and this experience is only available for our resident guests.
The Great British Summertime
OPPORTUNITY ABOUNDS ACROSS OUR ESTATE AND CORNER OF HAMPSHIRE TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMERTIME.
WHETHER RECONNECTING TO BRITISH SEASONALITY THROUGH OUR FOOD AND DRINK AND TIME SPENT OUTDOORS OR DISCOVERING ENGLAND'S MOST ICONIC SITES ON OUR DOORSTEP, OUR 438 ACRES AND SURROUNDING AREA OFFER PLENTY OF ROOM TO ROAM AND EXPLORE.
FORAGED COCKTAIL WORKSHOP
Learn how to create cocktails using freshly foraged ingredients with our House-made liqueurs and tinctures.
Set off from the House to forage through the woodlands to hand-pick plants, herbs and flowers, while learning about the practical qualities of each.
This experience is available for our
Friends and resident guests through the end of September.
Home Farm Flower Arranging Workshop
Join Heckfield Place's resident florist to create a beautiful bouquet using fresh, seasonal flowers from Heckfield Home Farm. Journey down to our biodynamic Market Garden which provides up to 5,000 stems a week for the House to be guided on selecting, cutting and conditioning your own blooms.
You’ll then head back to the Glass House in our Upper Walled Gardens where you’ll receive expert guidance to create your own floral work of art, while enjoying a selection of tea, coffee and cake.
This experience is just for our Friends and resident guests.
A True Sense of the English Countryside
Tucked in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, we're lucky to be surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as some of England's most culturally significant sites and pursuits.
From discovering Highclere Castle - the filming location of Downton Abbey - to meeting with British artisans and makers to reconnect with traditional craft, we're surrounded by ways to experience a true sense of place.
Wild Swimming
The Lower Lake is a wonderful spot to enjoy a dip in nature. Book one of our guided experiences and head to the eastern end of the Lake where the water is deep and clear. Find our wooden pontoon and step ladder to ease your way in and out.
Please note that we advise against swimming in our Lower Lake alone, and all open water dips should be supervised by a member of our trained team. We recommend booking one of our guided experiences.
PRODUCE SALES - THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Take the best of the season and a bit of
H E C K F I E L D H O M E F A R M
with you. The best seasonal produce and plants from our biodynamic Market Garden will be available, along with delicious bits from our kitchen like preserves,
cakes and biscuits.
Our produce sales are open to all. Make a Saturday of it by booking lunch in Marle or Hearth.
Gin Garden Experience
Join one of our skilled bar team to explore the intricate world of gin, and craft your own with freshly foraged botanicals.
Sample three vastly different gins, including Heckfield’s own London Dry Gin, then be led on a guided walk to collect a variety of fresh botanicals from our Walled Gardens.
This experience is available for our
F R I E N D S and resident guests through the end of August.
MORE SUMMER EXPERIENCES
THE BOTHY BY WILDSMITH
The Bothy by Wildsmith returns you to a simpler time. Slow breathe, slow time. Rediscover nature's pace in our new home of wellbeing.
The Bothy by Wildsmith
THINGS TO DO
Discover activities and experiences that make the most of the Great Outdoors during summer.
Activities and Experiences
Nearby Experiences
From quintessential country pursuits like the Royal Berkshire School of Shooting, to some of England's most iconic sites like Windsor Castle.
Hampshire and its surrounding area are filled with plenty of things for all to do.
Nearby Experiences
SUMMER DINING
From picnics across our estate, to lunching on the Italian Terrace. Let's go al fresco.
There's no better way to reconnect with nature than dining in the Great Outdoors. Both Marle and Hearth are lucky enough to have outdoor terraces to make the most of when the weather behaves. But a picnic down by the Lower Lake or a long lunch on the Italian Terrace are not to be overlooked...