The Great Plane Tree of Mottisfont
The great Plane tree of Mottisfont is a fantastic specimen of the tree we all know and love in London parks but the one in Hampshire is stunning and reputedly the oldest in the British Isles.
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 MoreInteresting Hampshire Headstones and Memorials
An exploration of Hampshire history has to include a look at some of its fascinating, poignant and thought provoking headstones and memorials. Discover more about Hampshire history through these touching memorials.
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.
Read MoreBramdean Church in the Woods
Bramdean church in the woods is a corrugated iron clad church, built in 1873 for the families of travellers to use, who occupied Bramdean common. It was a flat pack construction that took just five days to erect.
Read MoreSt Leonard’s Church Hartley Mauditt
St Leonards church in Hartley Mauditt Hampshire, sits in splendid isolation, it doesn’t even have its manor house for company. The ownership of the manor itself touches on key families in Medieval England.
Read MoreOdiham and the Vernacular Magna Carta
The vernacular Magna Carta was produced at Odiham Castle in Hampshire within two weeks of the original document being sealed. A writ was attached and the charter then sent out across England.
Read MoreD-Day from Liphook to Southwick and Southampton WW2
Hampshire was full of troops equipment and there was a sense of a huge buildup, the population had been drilled on security but speculation was growing something ‘BIG’ was going to happen. What was it like for the residents of Hampshire as finally these massive resources and numbers of troops mobilised for the big push? Something “BIG” was going to happen but when? One of a series of posts marking Hampshire and its role and experience of the run-up to D-Day.
Read MoreKing Henry V Bishop’s Waltham and Agincourt
Bishop’s Waltham Palace was the setting for King Henry V’s last night in England before setting sail from Southampton to engage the French in battle at Agincourt.
Read MoreThe Story of William Johnson Powder Monkey
The story of William Johnson, a powder monkey who became an able seaman and who served his country. He died in a workhouse but gave his early years to the Royal Navy and was remembered by them.
Read MoreNelson’s Monument
Nelson’s Monument resting on the top of Portsdown Hill in Hampshire, soars away into the sky, with the bust of Nelson casting a keen eye, out across the waters of the Solent.
Read MoreThe Hampshire Chronicle estb 1772
The Hampshire Chronicle was established in 1772 and is Hampshire’s oldest newspaper, printed and published in Hampshire and still going strong, operating out of its Winchester base.
Read MoreDr Keate of Eton College
Dr Keate of Eton College, the great flogging headmaster from 1809 to 1834, was rector of St Mary’s church Hartley Wespall and is buried inside.
Read MoreHistory of the New Forest
The history of the New Forest National Park, is evident in the landscape, in the villages and towns and on the coast of this unique part of Britain.
Read MoreElvetham Hall
Elvetham Hall history is fascinatingly linked to the Seymour family and the Tudor royal family. The original house burnt down in the mid 19th century and a mighty Victorian Gothic mansion stands to replace it.
Read MoreHampshire Churches Stained Glass
Hampshire Churches Stained Glass Stained and painted glass has filled the the windows of our parish churches and great cathedrals for over a thousand years. There are so many beautiful stained glass windows in Hampshire churches that on our history foraging expeditions we make sure to capture as many images of them as possible. These…
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