terms that forbade the installation of electric light or central heating. The ten Meinertzhagen children included Daniel and Richard, who built aviaries for their collection of eagles, hawks, owls and ravens. Richard wrote detailed diaries about his childhood and growing interest in the natural world. 20th century The arrival of Maud and Gilbert Russell in 1934 made Mottisfont the centre of a fashionable artistic and political circle. Maud was a wealthy patron of the arts, and she created a substantial country house where she entertained artists and writers including Ben Nicholson and Ian Fleming. She commissioned some of her artist and designer friends to embellish Mottisfont, always with an eye on its history, which fascinated her. Rex Whistler created the illusion of Gothic architecture in her salon (now known as the Whistler Room), a piece of trompe-l'œil painting that recalls the medieval architecture of the priory. Boris Anrep contributed mosaics both inside and outside the house, including one of an angel featuring Maud's face – the couple had a long love affair. During World War II, Mottisfont was commandeered as a hospital with 80 beds. Maud Russell gave the house and grounds to the National Trust in 1957, although continuing to live there until 1972. One of the artists who had visited regularly was Derek Hill, a society portrait painter who had a private passion for landscape painting, and who collected work by his contemporaries. He donated a substantial collection of early 20th-century art to the National Trust to be shown at Mottisfont, in memory of his long friendship with Maud Russell. Today, these works are joined by a changing programme of temporary exhibitions of 20th-century and contemporary art. Burials Maud Chaworth, 14th-century noblewoman and heiress Visitor attraction Mottisfont Abbey has extensive grounds. There are areas of wooded shade, a walk along the River Test, enough lawn for picnics, and games are allowed on the lawns, too. There are scented rose gardens, particularly on early summer evenings, and the largest specimen of a London plane tree in Britain. In the summer months there are often theatre productions outside, and at different times of the year there are specific trails, mainly but not exclusively aimed at children, for example at Easter, Halloween, Christmas etc. Refreshments are sold at several points and there is a modern National Trust shop, ice cream parlour and exhibition space. A new Visitor Centre was completed early