Broadlands

Distinguished Visitors to Broadlands

Today's visitor to Broadlands follows in the footsteps of the famous. For centuries it has been a noted centre of hospitality.

A frequent visitor to Broadlands in the time of the 3rd Lord Palmerston was Florence Nightingale. She lived 'just over the way' at Embley Park. Her family were friends and neighbours. Some scenes of her life story of 'The Lady With The Lamp' were shot at Broadlands.

In the film's production team was young Lord Brabourne, husband of the Mountbatten's elder daughter Patricia. Garrick, Sheridan, Lady Hamilton, Joshua Reynolds all visited the young 2nd Viscount Palmerston here. In Victorian times, the 1st Lord and Lady Mount Temple entertained Ruskin and Rossetti.

King James I stayed at Broadlands in 1607, 1615 and 1623, bringing a sizeable retinue. The King planted Mulberry trees to commemorate the Granting of Romsey's Royal Charter. They still survive in the walled garden. The Queen and Prince Philip were also invited to plant commemorative Mulberries on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the Charter in 1957, by Lord Mount batten the then High Steward of Romsey, a post now held by Lord Romsey.

The Queen and Prince Philip began their honeymoon in 1947, here at Broadlands. So did Lord and Lady Louis Mountbatten in 1922 when Broadlands belonged to her father, Lord Mount Temple.

In 1981 the Prince and Princess of Wales accepted Lord and Lady Romsey's invitation to spend the first part of their honeymoon at Broadlands.

Lord Mountbatten's cousin Edward, Prince of Wales had been a previous visitor to Broadlands as had Pandit Nehru with whom the Mountbattens developed a close friendship during their time in India.

In October, 1979, friends and relations, royal and distinguished guests from all over the world gathered at Broadlands for Lord and Lady Romsey's wedding. The Prince of Wales was best man as his great-uncle had been to Lord Romsey's grandfather Lord Mountbatten in 1922.