Broadlands Estate

Broadlands Estate sits just outside Romsey in Hampshire, right by the River Test. It is this grand old place with a ton of history.

Originally, it was part of Romsey Abbey way back before the Norman Conquest, then got sold off after the monasteries were dissolved in the 1500s. It passed through a few families like the Flemings and St Barbes before landing with the Temple family in 1736 – that is Henry Temple, the first Viscount Palmerston, who kicked off some garden changes.

His grandson, the third Viscount Palmerston, was a big deal as a British prime minister in the 1800s, and he made it his country pad.

The house itself got a major makeover in the late 1700s, turning into this elegant Palladian-style mansion thanks to architect Henry Holland and landscape whiz Capability Brown. They softened up the gardens, making them flow nicely down to the river, and the whole setup is now protected as a Grade I listed building with Grade II gardens.

Ownership shifted again in the 1900s to the Mountbatten family through Edwina Ashley, who married Lord Louis Mountbatten. He was a key figure, uncle to Prince Philip and all that.

Speaking of royals, Broadlands has some serious connections. Princess Elizabeth – that is Queen Elizabeth II – and Prince Philip honeymooned there in 1947, since it was Mountbatten’s home. Then in 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana kicked off their honeymoon at the estate too, arriving by train from London. It has hosted all sorts, from political bigwigs to modern events.

These days, it is still the home of the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma, the third generation. But it is not just private anymore – they open it up for guided tours on weekday afternoons during summer, so you can poke around the house and grounds.

Plus, it has become a hotspot for corporate gigs, weddings, concerts, filming, and photography. The estate runs as a family business with lettings for homes, farms, and even fishing spots on the Test. It boosts the local economy around Romsey and Southampton.

If you are into history or fancy events, Broadlands mixes old-school charm with today’s vibe perfectly. It has seen centuries of stories, from abbey lands to royal retreats, and keeps evolving.