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SOPLEY PARK AND MANSION
One of the Squires of Sopley was John Kemp-Welch, the
owner of Schweppes, who lived at Sopley Park Mansion from 1867. On his death in
1885, his son also John, became Squire and made a great contribution to local
and county government, thereby keeping the village intact. On his death in 1939,
the estate passed to his son Hubert. Hubert's son Ralph was killed in WWII, and
soon afterwards the estate was sold.
A Nursing
Home and two Independent Schools were established on the Estate. The Mansion was demolished in 1988
together with a
number of riches including a series of stained glass windows illustrating the
New Forest legends. Sopley Park now contains a number of new residences and
Moorlands Bible College.
