| HCC Site ID: | 1661 | Parish: | Westbourne |
| Designations: | House LB II | Area: | 4 ha |
| Access: | No Public Access | Ownership: | Private residence providing Bed and Breakfast accommodation |
Image: from website 3/1/2015
Location and site
Hollybank House is situated to the north of Emsworth and the smaller settlement of New Brighton and is on the southern edge of Southleigh Forest at the foot of the South Downs, close to the Hampshire, West Sussex border. It is on rising ground and commands views of Chichester harbour from the first floor windows (Hollybank online 2013).
Historic development
Hollybank House was built in 1827, a manor house in 4.04 ha.(10 acres) of grounds reached by a long driveway banked by rhododendrons with harbour views from the first floor. The wooded area was densely forested and impenetrable until the 1987 storm, when 80 mature trees were lost. In the grounds is a rare icehouse, an old pump and a dairy with lead tables and shelving. The Greenwood map of 1826 shows the area to be well wooded prior to the building of the house.
Trees such as oak, beech, copper beech, yew, cedar and holly have survived and new trees have been planted along the drive. After the storm damage was cleared, the present owner (2001) started a new garden. Heather was put in to deter the deer from eating the varied, sweet scented and beautiful plants. A small formal garden is near the house, the rest being lawns, shrubs and gravel paths, creating an almost wild garden with minimal upkeep. Especially dramatic is the pink rhododendron in the shade of the trees and fragrant yellow azaleas. The icehouse is now a reservoir under the garden pool, beside which stands the pump, still in working order. The old dairy is used as a tool shed, but retains the original lead tables and shelving.
Current description
The house now provides bed and breakfast accommodation and also has available a marquee for wedding receptions and other functions. The website mentions that the house is ‘in a beautiful 10 acre garden’ (Hollybank online 2013).
Summary
Hollybank is a 19th century Grade II listed house situated at the southern edge of Southleigh Forest with harbour views, well-wooded park, pond, icehouse, pump and dairy. The main attraction is the gardens, which were for many years open to the public. The house now provides bed and breakfast accommodation.
HGT Research: February 2001; website March 2013
References
Hollybank online 2013 (www.hollybankhouse.com)[accessed 13 March 2013]