Ashmansworth
Encyclopedia
Ashmansworth is a village and civil parish
in the Basingstoke and Deane
district of the English
county of Hampshire
.
in Berkshire
, and 9 miles (14.5 km) from Andover
in Hampshire
. The village has the distinction of being not only one of the highest villages in Hampshire, but also the highest medieval village on chalk in England. It lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB), and at weekends is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Blacks Guide, published in 1871, described the village as being “among the least trodden districts and most secluded angles of the country, noteworthy only for its early English church”.
In 1901 a spokesman for the Archaeological Society described Ashmansworth as “a long scattered village, neglected and deserted in its aspect, with a rapidly decreasing population”. At this time the church had fallen into disrepair, probably as a result of it being subordinate to the East Woodhay parish.
An independent Parish Council for Ashmansworth was founded in 1894. One of the first issues it addressed was the water supply. Throughout its history Ashmansworth experienced difficulties in maintaining an adequate supply of drinking water. Prior to the installation of piped water in the late 1930s, the only sources of drinking water for many villagers were Mere Pool and the 100 metres deep well at Church Farm.
Over the course of the 20th century the character of Ashmansworth changed rapidly, largely as a result of the intensive farming practices adopted after the Second World War. These changes were no more apparent than at Lower Manor Farm, where Wilfred Cooper established some of the most technologically advanced agricultural methods in the area.
The modern village has a central core, concentrated around the main thoroughfare where the Village Hall, Village Green, War Memorial, former Plough Inn, former Chapel and Old School House are all located. This hub is where village socialising takes place, it is also used by ramblers passing through who just want to rest and admire the idyllic surroundings.
There are many key buildings in the village including eight listed buildings, some dating from the 18th century such as Plough cottage and Pheasant cottage. There are also newer additions such as the Manor Farmhouse and Flint House which combine to make Ashmansworth a distinctively rural settlement, with many obvious signs of its agricultural heritage reflected in its development pattern.
It is a chocolate box village, with so much history behind it. The village itself boasts amazing landscapes and views but also has a perfect village feel with the local residents rallying together to create a real community feeling.
According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 215.
is dedicated to Saint James the Great
and dates from the 12th century. The village was served for many years by the local public house
, The Plough, which ceased trading in 2008.
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the Basingstoke and Deane
Basingstoke and Deane
Basingstoke and Deane is a local government district and borough in Hampshire, England. Its primary settlement is Basingstoke. Other settlements include Bramley, Tadley, Kingsclere, Overton, Oakley, Whitchurch and the hamlet of Deane, some from Basingstoke....
district of the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
.
Location
It is about 7 miles (11.3 km) south of NewburyNewbury, Berkshire
Newbury is a civil parish and the principal town in the west of the county of Berkshire in England. It is situated on the River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon Canal, and has a town centre containing many 17th century buildings. Newbury is best known for its racecourse and the adjoining former USAF...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, and 9 miles (14.5 km) from Andover
Andover, Hampshire
Andover is a town in the English county of Hampshire. The town is on the River Anton some 18.5 miles west of the town of Basingstoke, 18.5 miles north-west of the city of Winchester and 25 miles north of the city of Southampton...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. The village has the distinction of being not only one of the highest villages in Hampshire, but also the highest medieval village on chalk in England. It lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside considered to have significant landscape value in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, that has been specially designated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the United Kingdom government; the Countryside Council for Wales on...
(AONB), and at weekends is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Village overview
This secluded village in the county of Hampshire, has a tight knit community holding many village events such as ploughman’s lunch, flower shows, summer barbecues and shooting events. The village follows the ridge-line (for almost 2 kilometres (1.2 mi)) and the views over Berkshire and Hampshire are outstanding. In the summer, families are often out walking and enjoying the views and amazing landscapes.Blacks Guide, published in 1871, described the village as being “among the least trodden districts and most secluded angles of the country, noteworthy only for its early English church”.
In 1901 a spokesman for the Archaeological Society described Ashmansworth as “a long scattered village, neglected and deserted in its aspect, with a rapidly decreasing population”. At this time the church had fallen into disrepair, probably as a result of it being subordinate to the East Woodhay parish.
An independent Parish Council for Ashmansworth was founded in 1894. One of the first issues it addressed was the water supply. Throughout its history Ashmansworth experienced difficulties in maintaining an adequate supply of drinking water. Prior to the installation of piped water in the late 1930s, the only sources of drinking water for many villagers were Mere Pool and the 100 metres deep well at Church Farm.
Over the course of the 20th century the character of Ashmansworth changed rapidly, largely as a result of the intensive farming practices adopted after the Second World War. These changes were no more apparent than at Lower Manor Farm, where Wilfred Cooper established some of the most technologically advanced agricultural methods in the area.
The modern village has a central core, concentrated around the main thoroughfare where the Village Hall, Village Green, War Memorial, former Plough Inn, former Chapel and Old School House are all located. This hub is where village socialising takes place, it is also used by ramblers passing through who just want to rest and admire the idyllic surroundings.
There are many key buildings in the village including eight listed buildings, some dating from the 18th century such as Plough cottage and Pheasant cottage. There are also newer additions such as the Manor Farmhouse and Flint House which combine to make Ashmansworth a distinctively rural settlement, with many obvious signs of its agricultural heritage reflected in its development pattern.
It is a chocolate box village, with so much history behind it. The village itself boasts amazing landscapes and views but also has a perfect village feel with the local residents rallying together to create a real community feeling.
According to the 2001 census, it had a population of 215.
Amenities
The village churchChurch of England parish church
A parish church in the Church of England is the church which acts as the religious centre for the people within the smallest and most basic Church of England administrative region, known as a parish.-Parishes in England:...
is dedicated to Saint James the Great
Saint James the Great
James, son of Zebedee was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle...
and dates from the 12th century. The village was served for many years by the local public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, The Plough, which ceased trading in 2008.