About us

Mottisfont 1001 — Mottisfont Abbey, previously owned by the family until 1934. Now owned by the National Trust.

The Barker-Mill Estates consist of land in Hampshire owned and managed by the Barker-Mill family and its Trustees.

The Barker-Mills have deep and long-established roots in the county having been local landowners and prominent figures in community life for over 500 years. Their ancestors date back to the 14^th century and played a vital part in the history of the area through their ongoing investment and involvement within the local community. Today, the family and its Trustees, continue to look after estates to the west of Southampton and in the New Forest.

The Barker-Mill Estates comprise several thousand acres of land in Hampshire, which are under the guardianship of the Trustees with the support of the family.

To the immediate west of Southampton the estates include land in the lower Test Valley and parts of Nursling and Rownhams. On the eastern edge of the New Forest the estates cover a 3,000-acre block of land which includes parts of Hounsdown, Eling, Marchwood, Colbury, Ashurst and Longdown.

As well as prominent areas near Southampton and in the New Forest National Park, Barker-Mill Estates owns and manages 1,000 acres of land between Milford on Sea and New Milton.

Although mainly consisting of farmland, grazing paddocks and commercial land units, the estates also feature a wide range of residential rental properties, the majority of which are located in Nursling and the villages of Ashurst and Colbury. Many of the properties are rented by local people.

Family history

The prominence of the Barker-Mill family in Southampton is deep-rooted and recognised on the Bargate, the fortified Norman tower guarding the entrance to the city, where the Barker-Mill family shield still remains on display, alongside those of other great Southampton families.

The first John Mill left his mark as a merchant in Southampton’s thriving and cosmopolitan trading centre, circa 1504. By 1613 the family was well enough established to afford an impressive memorial in Nursling Church, Southampton.

In the 18th Century the family inherited Mottisfont Abbey near Romsey, where trees they planted still grow today.

1836 saw the first Barker-Mill. The Rev Sir John Barker-Mill was a jolly figure, famous for his loud check trousers and cherry-coloured ties.

Victorian matriarch Mrs Marianne Vaudrey Barker-Mill was the opposite of Rev Sir John. A good businesswoman, she pulled the Barker-Mill finances into shape, selling land at Millbrook, which grew into Southampton’s massive docks.

Another dynamic Barker-Mill businesswoman followed. Brenda Barker-Mill set up a chauffeur service for tourists after the Great War, taking travellers as far as Edinburgh in a second-hand Rolls Royce. Brenda’s son Peter was an artist but creating vast sculptures and illustrating books didn’t distract him from his local responsibilities.

Following Peter’s death in 1994, he is survived by his daughter Amanda, and son, Adam. Both Amanda and Adam are dedicated to the family and the estates.

Amanda launched Britain’s first Butterfly Farm in the New Forest in 1981 and developed Longdown Dairy Farm as a tourist attraction in 1985.

Adam works as a light artist, creating dramatic installations for exhibition.

Longdown Management

The Barker-Mill Estates are managed by Longdown Management Limited.

Formed in April 1977 the company’s principal function is to manage property belonging to the Barker-Mill family and its Trustees.

In total, Longdown Management handles approximately 2,000 acres of tenanted farmland and a similar acreage of land let on short term tenancies and licenses. It also manages an additional 1,500 acres of woodland, as well as lettings of sporting rights over some of the estates land, lettings of salmon, trout and other fishing on lakes and the southern part of the River Test below the M27 motorway and part of the Lymington River.

Other management includes lettings of mineral extraction and infilling rights. Lettings of over 150 residential properties situated between the Western boundary of Southampton and the Eastern side of the New Forest National Park, are also handled by Longdown Management, as well as the management of various commercial lettings.

Longdown Management is retained to manage land and property for other private and corporate owners.

Our Trustees

Carl Jackson

Carl Jackson is the Founder and Managing Partner of Quantuma, an independent business advisory firm which he established in 2013. Since the launch of his business, he has successfully created and implemented the company’s strategic plan to be the leading independent practice in the UK mid-market across the Advisory spectrum. Prior to this, Carl led the national restructuring team of a listed full services accountancy firm.

Carl has provided a supportive, advisory role to Barker-Mill Estate for a number of years and his strong financial advisory background led to his appointment as Trustee to the Estate in 2021. Carl became Chairman in June 2023.

His interests include golf (when he has the time), running, watching his beloved Manchester United and driving his children to and from various after school activities!!

Richard Moyse

Richard Moyse read Law at Oxford and qualified as a solicitor in 1970. He practised in London and became Senior Partner at Boodle Hatfield, a renowned international private client law firm. His practice revolved around advising families in the UK and internationally. He was a regular lecturer on trust and tax law on the international circuit and was awarded two lifetime achievement awards.

He was for many years a member of the Law Society Tax Committee and was President of the International Academy of Estate and Trust Law. He first became involved as an advisor to Barker-Mill in the early 1980’s; later being appointed a Trustee in 2000. Richard was Chairman from 2006 to June 2023.

His many interests include choral singing, family history, gardening, watching cricket and travel.

Simon Rylatt

Simon Rylatt became a Partner focusing on Private Client and Tax at Boodle Hatfield in 2005 and specialises in UK and international tax and estate planning for individuals and trusts. Simon qualified as a Solicitor in 1999 and started his career at Thomas Eggar. He has won multiple accolades for this work in the legal field.

In 2021, Simon became a Trustee to the Estate following his involvement with Barker-Mill Estate for 6 years. His extensive experience in estate planning strategies for businesses puts Simon in prime position to advise on the governance and compliance.

In his spare time, Simon enjoys playing and coaching hockey, listening to music and spending as much time as possible with his wife, two children, dog and cat.

STATEMENT OF CORE VALUES

The Barker-Mill family has deep roots in Hampshire, where they have been landowners for over 500 years. The estates are now held principally by Trustees, whose purpose is to act as custodians. The Trustees intend to protect and enhance the family’s success, heritage, and reputation, whilst respecting and working to contemporary values and acting in a responsible and sustainable fashion.

Independence/ Sustainability	The Barker-Mill Estates aim to be financially independent, generating sufficient sustainable returns for their maintenance and re-investment, at an appropriate level of risk.
Guardianship/ Ownership	The Trustees manage the Estates’ portfolio of assets in a responsible but commercial fashion, also in the interests of present and future generations of the Barker-Mill family.
Inclusiveness	Decisions are taken after consultation with relevant stakeholders (including, as appropriate, beneficiaries, managing agents, professional advisers, tenants, employees and local stakeholders).
Protective	The Trustees are conscious of the need for and desirability of sustainable management, including the provision of environmental benefits through such programmes as woodland creation schemes and solar energy generation. They also look to support the local economy by utilising local trades and businesses.
Integrity/ Responsible	The Trustees wish to act ethically and, in line with the Barker-Mill family’s own values and wishes, believe in giving back to the community. The Barker-Mill Foundation, an independent charity funded from the family’s wider wealth, has supported local charities by gifting over £4 million since its inception in 1995.
Well-Being	The Estate activity provides for and the Trustees wish to support the improvement of local health and well-being, for example, by providing land for the construction of the Marchwood to Eling cycle path as well as granting permitted footpaths through Estate woodlands in the Nursling and Rownhams area.
Loyalty	The Estate is intended to be a place to work where loyalty and commitment are encouraged and rewarded.