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About this place
Roke Manor is a 17th-century manor house in Hampshire, roughly two kilometres north-west of the centre of Romsey. Today it serves as the headquarters of the technology and research company Roke Manor Research, so it is a working site rather than a ticketed visitor attraction.
What is Roke Manor?
The house is a former country residence on land with a long history: a settlement called Roke shows up in records as early as 1256. The present house dates from the 1600s and stands in grounds of about 22 acres (just under 9 hectares). Apart from the main house, the older outbuildings have been pulled down, and part of the land became playing fields.
Who lived here?
In 1709 the estate passed to John Fifield of Stanbridge Earls, and his family held it until 1858. A later owner, Thomas Wingate-Henderson, enlarged the house and gave it the appearance it has today. In 1935 it was bought by the Ansell family, who ran a Birmingham brewery.
How did a manor become a research centre?
In 1956 the electronics group Plessey bought the house and grounds and set up a research laboratory there. The business later passed through Siemens, and in 2010 Chemring Group took it over. The manor remains the head office of Roke Manor Research.
Can you visit?
There are no regular tours. The grounds are a company site, and entry needs an invitation or a pre-arranged appointment. Don't count on seeing the house from a public path either. If you are in the area, spend your time in Romsey itself, with its abbey and streets of historic buildings.
How do you get there?
Romsey sits between Southampton and Salisbury and has a rail connection from Southampton. From the town, the manor lies north-west, reachable by taxi or by car along the local roads. If you drive, park in Romsey, as there is no visitor parking at the house.
Frequently asked questions
Is Roke Manor open to the public?
No. It is a company headquarters, and visits are only possible by prior arrangement.
How old is the house?
It dates from the 17th century, while the first record of a settlement at Roke goes back to 1256.
Who owns it now?
Roke Manor Research, part of Chemring Group since 2010.
What else is worth seeing nearby?
Romsey Abbey and the old town centre are the obvious stops, with the New Forest and Winchester a short drive away.
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