The Grange Festival is a cultural celebration that presents world-class opera, jazz, dance, and theatre performances annually in Hampshire. The festival is located in The Grange, which is one of Great Britain’s most celebrated neo-classical mansions and a Grade One Scheduled Monument owned by Mark Baring, Lord Ashburton- a member of the historic banking family. Renowned English countertenor, Michael Chance CBE, is the Festival’s Artistic Director and curates a diverse range of cultural experiences to suit all preferences.
Alongside the program of events, The Grange Festival offers the opportunity to experience world-class opera in a remarkable English country house setting and enjoy a dining experience during the long interval. The location of The Grange is also one of its highlights. Nestled in the idyllic Hampshire countryside, on the edge of the South Downs National Park- a small piece of paradise designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), visitors can enjoy stunning surroundings. Additionally, the festival is situated near North Wessex Downs (also an AONB) and is within reach of a variety of historic cities and notable tourist sites, making it an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore Hampshire and its surroundings.
Winchester
Located just ten miles from The Grange, Winchester is England’s original capital city. It is picturesque, and visitors come from around the world to visit the medieval Cathedral that houses numerous monuments and treasures such as The Winchester Bible and the Morley Library. The Cathedral is also the burial place of the English novelist Jane Austen. Great Hall of Winchester Castle situated at Winchester Castle houses the medieval round table linked to the famous King Arthur. Many beautiful walks around this beautiful city include the daily route that the poet John Keats used in 1819 and inspired his famous ode ‘To Autumn.’
Jane Austen’s House
Chawton is a charming rural village located approximately 15 miles from The Grange. Jane Austen, one of England’s most renowned authors, lived and wrote her novels in a cottage located in this village. The cottage is a five-minute walk from the romantic 400-year old manor, Chawton House, which once belonged to Jane’s brother, Edward, who she referred to as the “Great House.”
Hinton Ampner
Hinton Ampner is a country house located only four miles from the Festival site. It boasts of an outstanding collection of furniture, paintings, and objets d’art as well as gardens considered masterpieces of 20th-century design.
Selborne and Gilbert White’s House and Gardens
Selborne and Gilbert White’s House and Gardens located around 17 miles from The Grange is a charming country home with 25 acres of gardens and ancient parkland. The house was home to the naturalist Reverend Gilbert White, the world’s first ecologist, and author of ‘The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne’, which has never been out of print since it was first published in 1789.
Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle located 30 minutes’ drive from The Grange is famously known as George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon’s majestic castle. It is the main location for the internationally-acclaimed historical drama series ‘Downton Abbey.’
Salisbury
Salisbury is a medieval city that is 37 miles from The Grange. It is known for its Cathedral, which has the tallest spire in Great Britain, the oldest clock in the world, and one of the original copies of the Magna Carta.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge, located about 40 miles from The Grange, is one of the best-known prehistoric monuments in Europe and a World Heritage Site. The site is a testament to human ingenuity, creativity, and imagination, and a world-class exhibition allows visitors to explore the mysteries of the wider Stonehenge landscape.
Windsor
Windsor, a world-famous city with its imposing Castle located under an hour’s drive from The Grange, is an excellent end to the Hampshire exploration. The Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle globally, and British monarchs have called it home for over a thousand years. HM The Queen used to spend most of her private weekends there, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married there in 2018.
Photo:Â Chuta Kooanantkul/Shutterstock
