History of Pondhead / Parkhill
Pondhead has a long and captivating history.
The site has a history of continuous habitation stretching back to Roman times
with construction of a fort, as confirmed by the discovery of Roman coinage in
our orchard. Park Pale which adjoins part of the farm's eastern perimeter bears
witness to the establishment of a Royal Hunting Forest, predominately for deer,
in 1079 by William 1st (A.K.A William the Conqueror) across the perambulation of
the current New Forest. It is rumoured that William's son, William 2nd, had
such a poor shot that he ordered the erection of the pale. As with other pales
common at the time, an earth embankment was constructed footed by a ditch and
topped by wooden spikes, pales. Deer were driven by beaters from the southwest
down the pale, as it narrowed and the deer became more concentrated William 2nd
would take his pick! The pale is still clearly delineated on current O/S maps
and can be traced by foot or horse back for the majority of its original length.
The name Parkhill was derived from the establishment of an enclosed area which
may originally have housed the King's deer and other stock. In the thirteenth
century a Royal Hunting Lodge was established on the site of the current Le
Poussin Restaurant (A.K.A the former Parkhill Hotel). In medieval times the
park was used for recreational purposes. Parkhill appears to have become the
"Old Park" in various maps of the 18th Century, as it was superseded by the
considerably larger "New Park" situated midway between Brockenhurst and
Lyndhurst and host to the nationally famous "New Forest Show" and other
equestrian events.
In 1740 the lodge was rebuilt by the Duke of Clarence, to afford a stupendous
country residence with uninterrupted views over the surrounding parkland. It is
notable that a considerable extent of the estate's original perambulation is now
forested and owned by the Forestry Commission, as illustrated on the proceeding
page's maps and early photographs taken around 1900. The house was
substantially renovated and modernised in 1850 by Captain Morant, Master of the
New Forest Fox hounds of the New Forest Hunt. Subsequent visitors included
Queen Victoria and her family Lady Isabella of Spain and Lady Phillpa of
Portugal.
In 1880 the house was converted into a boarding school for "the sons of
gentleman", including members of the Royal household by W. Rawnsley ESQ. brother
of the founder for the National Trust. The farm's grounds hosted recreational
facilities for the lads including cricket, the name sake of one of our fields,
and riding facilities. The latter is a legacy witnessed by the fine suite of
oak framed stables built around 1900, available to clients for livery today.
Parkhill was brought into disrepute in the early 20th Century by the association
with the German Baron Von Ripentrop (ambasador to the Court of St James), who
was a frequent visitor to the house; it was rumoured the owner was a German
sympathizer and that the Silver Safe which every country house had afforded a
hideout for German Spies.
The estate was requisitioned during the Second World War and hosted the command
centre for the D-Day landings. Colonel Hargreaves acquired the house at the end
of the war, and subsequently sold to W.C White ESQ. (A.K.A the "Professor") the
surrounding parkland and former riding stables. This was inherited by son C
White ESQ (A.K.A "Charlie") in 1973. Daughter and current owner Mrs P.C Mabbutt
married G.V Mabbutt ESQ in 1979, who subsequently sired Richard, Rachel and
Phillip. Patricia inherited the farm in 2000, and transferred the farm's name
from "Parkhill" to "Pondhead", the name sake of her breeding pre-fix and name in
1789 of the main house..
Continued.........