THE CURRENT CUSTODIANS
Our Story
It all started with a dream 15 years ago
We are Harvey and Helen (Phillips) and we own and run Moreton House, as well as living here with our two children. We’ve been married for 25 years after having met at University, where we got to know each other while organising the college May Ball.
Something like 15 years ago, at a friend's wedding in a beautiful country house, we first pondered how amazing it would be to own a huge property where other people would come and stay, where we could host weddings and parties, and when the guests weren't around, we'd still be able to live there.
We followed entirely different careers, living and working in a number of different countries. When we started to think about moving ‘home’ we began to look for a project, so when we saw Moreton House for sale, with its 28 bedrooms and 5 acre gardens, we put the idea into motion, gave up our day jobs, sold our house, and moved in.
Renovation Life Began
We knew there was a big renovation project ahead of us, but perhaps we didn't realise quite how big.
We'd counted the 120 windows, 34000 square feet, 100 rooms (yet for a while only 1 working shower and no heating!), we'd explored the damp cellars and creaky lofts, and we'd contemplated the utility bills. But we weren't quite so prepared for the dry rot, wet rot, woodworm and missing roof beams. So far, every room has revealed a new surprise, and we have certainly not had a chance to get bored.
A Family Project
We have had a regular crew of fantastic local trades and suppliers, but it's still very much a family project. From the children to the grandparents, everyone has lent a hand.
We've taught ourselves to restore plaster mouldings, make blinds, thread glass chandelier pieces together, lime wash, recreate wooden architrave designs and understand the intricacies of large-scale Wi-Fi distribution. Not to mention trying our hand at gardening on a giant scale.
We completed the guest rooms before the pandemic arrived, and during lockdown we completed enough of the house to start running weddings and functions – even finding another cellar that we never knew was there.
Moreton Today
We launched our business with the same family approach, getting involved with every aspect of setting up and running our holiday apartments, weddings and events.
There are still more rooms to work on, and the renovations are still progressing in the background and during quiet periods. But we are now guest ready, and look forward to welcoming you to Moreton House!
Read the Restoration Diary
From Family home to war time school, uncover the history behind Moreton House and the ongoing restoration works.
Explore the House
RAMBLING AND BLOOMING ON THE OUTSIDE, ELEGANT & SOPHISTICATED ON THE INSIDE.