Sotonopedia

The original medieval manor house was in existence in the 13th century, possibly earlier. Originally part of Stanham (later South Stoneham) manor, it was given by Edward I to the Bishops of Winchester in 1284. It appears to have fallen into a state of disrepair in the 16th century and Francis Mylles, who acquired the house in c.1598, removed some of the stones to help build Peartree House.

In the 18th century it was converted for use as a farmhouse; reports that it also became an inn at this time are probably apocryphal. In 1805 it was largely rebuilt - although retaining some of its original medieval fabric - as a private residence by the then owner Henry Simpson. Later in the 19th century it was owned by Steuart MacNaughten, a local barrister, who made many alterations, including the addition of the west wing in 1899. Badly damaged in World War Two (image 2), the house was reconstructed by architect Herbert Collins in 1951-55 and converted into flats.

It is situated on the north west side of Bitterne Road at the east end of Northam Bridge. Its grounds contain many relics of Roman occupation, being the site of the Roman settlement of Clausentum.

1. Bitterne Manor

Photograph, c.2000

2. Bitterne Manor after the Blitz

Photograph, 1941

See also

• Collins, Herbert

Further reading:

Lost Houses of Southampton, by Jessica Vale. (HS/i)
‘The Country Houses of Southampton’, by Jessica Vale in Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society, volume 39, 1983, p170, 180-186. (H/f)
The Growth of Bitterne Park, by John Edgar Mann, p99-102. (HS/h)
Herbert Collins 1885-1975: Architect and Worker for Peace, by Robert Williams, p46-48. (HS/i)
Southampton’s Historic Buildings, by R. J. Cole, p11. (HS/k)
Stories of Southampton Streets, by A. G. K. Leonard, p86-90. (HS/h)
Building of England: Hampshire and the I.O.W., by Nikolaus Pevsner and David Lloyd, p597. (H/i)

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