The Grange at Northington

The Grange at Northington looks like a Greek temple set in a Hampshire park, though its grand exterior conceals an older brick house. Between 1809 and 1816, William Wilkins transformed the building with classical facades and a temple front supported by eight huge columns. Public opposition saved it from demolition in 1975, and it now also serves as an opera venue. The usual visit is to the exterior and the grounds immediately around the house, where its scale and unusual architectural history are easiest to appreciate. Reviewers recommend looking from several angles and bringing refreshments, since ordinary visits have no cafe or toilets. Check ahead for event closures and conservation restrictions. Public access does not extend across the surrounding estate, and steep terrace steps limit accessibility. Dogs must stay on leads, including on the approach through land grazed by cattle.