It is in an early French style, Grade II* listed and made of brown and grey rubble stone with limestone dressings.

It then passed to Sir William Paulet, later the first Marquess of Winchester and stayed with his family until the time of the Commonwealth.

[7][10] The traveller Celia Fiennes, who made extensive tours riding side-saddle, passed through "Aberstone" in 1691.

[12] Its largest building in the central area is Ovington House, of no great antiquity, but its North Lodge is listed as Grade II.

[15] The revenues from the manor at Ovington supported Itchen's nuns until 1284 when it was sold to the monks of St. Swithun's Priory, Winchester Cathedral.