Names
Shepherd Lawes
Shepherd Lawes, buried in Martin Hampshire was the inspiration for the shepherd in W.H Hudson’s book, ‘A Shepherd’s Life’. Wriiten just before WWI it remembers the life and observations of a shepherd in the Wiltshire Hampshire Downs.
Read MoreSt Mary’s Church Tufton Hampshire
St Mary’s Church Tufton is a 12th century gem with just the hint that there might be earlier origins to some of the architecture. It has a large wall painting of St Christopher.
Read MoreMad Dick Norton
Mad Dick Norton was otherwise Richard Norton of Southwick estate, a landowner and politician whose eccentric behaviour resulted in a very unusual will and a substantial amount of controversy.
Read MoreHampshire Trade Tokens
Hampshire trade tokens were issued in the C17th and C18th when there was little small coinage to be had in Britain. Which places in Hampshire issued them and what did they look like?
Read MoreEast Wellow Church
The 13th century, East Wellow church, St Margaret’s of Antioch, is the final resting place of the great lady Florence Nightingale. Not only that it also is home to some wonderful 13th century wall paintings.
Read MoreRoyal Forest of Woolmer
The Royal Forest of Woolmer A little known area of Hampshire that was once a Medieval royal hunting forest. It lies near Liphook and the Sussex border and like all the hunting forests, would once have been a mainly open and treeless landscape. The open heath land would have been home to a herds of…
Read MoreMedieval Shoes in Selborne
Medieval shoes never look very comfortable but they are brilliantly evocative of a time long past The Medieval shoe in discussion is the one with excessively long pointed toes. They are called ‘Poulaines’ meaning ‘shoes in the Polish fashion’ since they were thought to have been fashionable in Krakow in the 15th century. The Poulaine…
Read MoreAn Alresford Toilet and the Cold War
What is the connection between New Alresford in Hampshire and the Cold War? Well it might surprise you to know that one of the most unremarkable buildings in Hampshire a toilet block in New Alresford has a vital connection to the Cold War.
Read MoreSt Michael and All Angels Knights Enham
The church of St Michael and All Angels Knights Enham, is a 12th century gem in Hampshire, 800 years worth of history to mull over. Situated in a lane alongside a farm, it’s easy to imagine souls of hundreds of years entering its doors.
Read MoreMedieval Graffiti at Wield
Searching for Medieval graffiti in the church of St James in Wield Hampshire, a lovely little fellow emerged from the soft chalk stone of the chancel arch. Could this inscription have been done over 600 years ago?
Read MoreBird’s Eye View Titchfield Abbey
A birds eye view of Titchfield Abbey in Hampshire by Ian Gray Builders Ltd. A piece of Hampshire history from a different perspective.
Read MoreThe Spanish Armada and Stockbridge
The Spanish Armada in 1588 left its mark in the church of old St Peter’s in Stockbridge in Hampshire, an intriguing snippet of history to ponder upon.
Read MoreBlackmoor Church
Blackmoor Church in Hampshire named St Matthew’s, was designed by one of the greatest Victorian architects, Alfred Waterhouse. These images show the beauty of his stained glass.
Read MoreMichelmersh Font
Michelmersh font in the church of St Mary’s in Hampshire, is a wonderfully carved Purbeck stone font but what are the gender of the faces staring down?
Read MoreWilliam Wyllie Maritime Artist
William Wyllie was one of Britain’s greatest maritime artists and for a while. lived in the Tower House in Old Portsmouth, the harbour unfolding before him.
Read MorePoignant Headstone at Ashley
A poignant headstone is set into the outside wall of the church of St Mary’s Ashley Hampshire The church of St Mary at Ashley in Hampshire is cared for by the Church Conservation Trust and has a beautifully simple interior, so quiet and peaceful. The church sits alongside the site of the 12th century Ashley…
Read MoreHamble Le Rice
Hamble Le Rice is bursting with history and delightful scenery. The settlement on the River Hamble estuary is ancient and intriguing and perfect for exploration.
Read MoreHythe Pier Railway
Hythe Pier in Hampshire is home to the worlds oldest continuously running pier railway. It reaches out into Southampton Water to connect with the ferry. A ferry has been making the crossing here for well over five hundred years.
Read More1950’s Racing Chart of the Solent
1950’s Racing Chart of the Solent A chance find in a charity shop today turned up a racing chart of Solent and Spithead, how appropriate on the first day of the ‘America’s Cup’ hosted in Portsmouth for the first time in 164 years. Not being a sailor the chart is full of mysteries for me. The…
Read MoreWilliam Nicholson Gin and Lords Cricket
William Nicholson gin and Lords cricket ground, what do they all have to do with the history of the county of Hampshire? Well cricket and Hampshire fit hand in glove but what about a London gin distillery? Read to find out more about this fascinating history.
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