Barton on Sea
Encyclopedia
Barton on Sea is a coastal village
situated in Hampshire
, England
. As a settlement, Barton has a history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, although the modern village was largely built in the 20th century. It is effectively a suburb of New Milton
. Barton is notable for the many fossils to be found in the Barton geological beds
in the cliffs, as well as for the elaborate sea defences built to defend the cliffs against coastal erosion
.
funerary urns were uncovered in Barton during the early 20th century, although most of them have been lost or destroyed. While Barton is a common English place-name, the etymology of Barton-on-Sea is unique. It means Beorma
’s Farm, and appears twice in the Domesday Book
, as Bermintune and as Burmintune. Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
, and friend of William the Conqueror, held both Barton manors in 1086.
A manor is mentioned in 1559, when John Dowce died in possession of it. William Juniper acquired it soon after, and at his death it was described as the capital farm called "Barmeton". In 1654, Richard Stephens, lord of Winkton Manor, is said to have owned the "site of the manor" of Barton. It remained in the Stephens family until 1733, when Richard Stephens sold it to Thomas Le Marchant of the Inner Temple
. In 1771 John Le Marchant of Guernsey
conveyed "the scite of the manor of Barton, etc.," to Edward Dampier of Corfe Castle
, in whose family it remained (the last holder having taken the name of Crossley) until 1903. There is evidence that smuggling
was a problem in the Barton area in the early 19th century, and in 1868 a terrace of coastguard cottages was built, which still stands.
As late as the 1880s, Barton largely consisted of two farm estates, but in the 1890s, both farms were auctioned and the estates were broken up. Subsequent land sales in the period 1904-7 allowed the full development of the village as it appears today. In 1897 the first golf course
was built at Barton along the cliff top, although the modern golf course at the east end of Barton dates from 1922.
In the First World War Barton was the site of a convalescent home for Indian service men, and this is commemorated by an obelisk in the village which was erected in 1917. In 1927, a maternity hospital known as the Grove Maternity Hospital was founded, and where many local people were born, until the hospital closed in 1988. During World War II
, the sea front at Barton was made out-of-bounds, and metal defences together with a pillbox
were built, in case of a German invasion.
At the east end of Barton was Becton Farm, where the famous showjumper Marion Coakes
lived. Her horse, Stroller
, is the only pony
to have competed at the Olympic Games
in Show Jumping
, winning an Individual Silver Medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics
. The pony was buried at the farm. The farm was later bought by Barton-on-Sea Golf Club, and Stroller now lies underneath the golf course where a plaque lies over the grave.
The footballers Russell Perrett
, Jamie Redknapp
, and Neil Moss
, were all born in Barton on Sea. Famous residents of Barton have included the novelist Beatrice Harraden
; the cricketer Denys Hill
; and the conductor Harry Norris
. George Campbell Wheeler
who served in the British Indian Army
during World War I
and was awarded the Victoria Cross
also lived here.
Today, Barton-on-Sea is effectively a suburb of New Milton
. Barton is a very popular retirement
location, and around 36% of the population of Barton on Sea are retired. The population of Barton in the 2001 census
was around 6800 people.
. A cliff-top path runs between Barton and the village of Milford on Sea
. From there, the Solent Way
stretches all the way to Emsworth
, on the West Sussex
border. It is also well known for the fact that it was the first place in England to try out rock groynes.
The village is separated from the beach by a 35-metre-high cliff although there are connecting paths. The cliffs are frequently used for paragliding
. At the eastern end of the village is the Barton-On-Sea Golf Club, which is notable for comprising three loops of nine holes.
Barton on Sea has had for many years a problem with coastal erosion
. In the past, the cliffs have eroded away at a rate of up to 1 metre a year, and several buildings have been lost. In the early 1900’s the grassy promenade at the top of the cliffs was 100 metres wide, today it is around 20 metres at its furthest points. The erosion was not helped by sea-defences further west at Bournemouth
starving Barton of sediment needed in its beaches to protect its cliffs. Some coastal protection measures at Barton were installed in the late 1930s but fell into disrepair during World War II
. In 1964 a series of timber groyne
s and a cliff drainage system was installed along 300m of the sea-front. This was followed in 1965-8 by a timber revetment backed by large rocks; an extension to the drainage system; and some rock groynes. Later improvements have consisted of replacing the timber groynes with rock groynes; and replacing the timber revetment with a rock structure of dark grey limestone
boulders to protect the toe of the cliff. Today’s cliff slip problems are largely due to inland water seepage. There have been recent experiments with vegetation defences (planting shrubs, plants and trees on the cliff face) to prevent rotational cliff slump, and therefore slowing the retreat of the cliff towards land which is in use.
To the west of Barton is Naish, now a holiday park, but which was once a farm estate with a history dating back to the 14th century. To the west of that is Chewton, notable for the chine
called Chewton Bunny running down to the sea. To the east of Barton is Becton, now the golf course, but which was once a farm with a history dating back to the Domesday book (the Saxon name means "Becca's farm"). Another chine called Becton Bunny can be found here, but it has become much reduced by coastal erosion. To the east of that are the farmlands of Taddiford ("Toad ford").
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
situated 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...
, England
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...
. As a settlement, Barton has a history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, although the modern village was largely built in the 20th century. It is effectively a suburb of New Milton
New Milton
New Milton is a market town in south west Hampshire, England. The town has a high street and holds a market every Wednesday. Situated on the edge of the New Forest, the town is about 6 miles west of Lymington town centre and 12 miles east of Bournemouth town centre.-History:New Milton dates back...
. Barton is notable for the many fossils to be found in the Barton geological beds
Barton Beds
Barton Beds is the name given to a series of grey and brown clays, with layers of sand, of Upper Eocene age , which are found in the Hampshire Basin of southern England. They are particularly well exposed in the cliffs at Barton-on-Sea, which is the world type locality for the Barton Beds, and...
in the cliffs, as well as for the elaborate sea defences built to defend the cliffs against coastal erosion
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage...
.
History
People have lived in the area of Barton since prehistoric times. A number of bronze ageBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
funerary urns were uncovered in Barton during the early 20th century, although most of them have been lost or destroyed. While Barton is a common English place-name, the etymology of Barton-on-Sea is unique. It means Beorma
Beorma
Beorma is the name most commonly given to the 7th century Anglo-Saxon founder of the settlement now known as the English city of Birmingham. This assumption is based on the belief that the original settlement was known as Beorma's ham or Beorma -inga -ham .It is also the name of an Anglo-Saxon...
’s Farm, and appears twice in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
, as Bermintune and as Burmintune. Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
Roger de Montgomerie , also known as Roger the Great de Montgomery, was the first Earl of Shrewsbury. His father was also Roger de Montgomerie, and was a relative, probably a grandnephew, of the Duchess Gunnor, wife of Duke Richard I of Normandy...
, and friend of William the Conqueror, held both Barton manors in 1086.
A manor is mentioned in 1559, when John Dowce died in possession of it. William Juniper acquired it soon after, and at his death it was described as the capital farm called "Barmeton". In 1654, Richard Stephens, lord of Winkton Manor, is said to have owned the "site of the manor" of Barton. It remained in the Stephens family until 1733, when Richard Stephens sold it to Thomas Le Marchant of the Inner Temple
Inner Temple
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, commonly known as Inner Temple, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
. In 1771 John Le Marchant of Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
conveyed "the scite of the manor of Barton, etc.," to Edward Dampier of Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle is a village and civil parish in the English county of Dorset. It is the site of a ruined castle of the same name. The village and castle stand over a gap in the Purbeck Hills on the route between Wareham and Swanage. The village lies in the gap below the castle, and is some eight...
, in whose family it remained (the last holder having taken the name of Crossley) until 1903. There is evidence that smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
was a problem in the Barton area in the early 19th century, and in 1868 a terrace of coastguard cottages was built, which still stands.
As late as the 1880s, Barton largely consisted of two farm estates, but in the 1890s, both farms were auctioned and the estates were broken up. Subsequent land sales in the period 1904-7 allowed the full development of the village as it appears today. In 1897 the first golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
was built at Barton along the cliff top, although the modern golf course at the east end of Barton dates from 1922.
In the First World War Barton was the site of a convalescent home for Indian service men, and this is commemorated by an obelisk in the village which was erected in 1917. In 1927, a maternity hospital known as the Grove Maternity Hospital was founded, and where many local people were born, until the hospital closed in 1988. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the sea front at Barton was made out-of-bounds, and metal defences together with a pillbox
British hardened field defences of World War II
British hardened field defences of World War II were small fortified structures constructed as a part of British anti-invasion preparations. They were popularly known as pillboxes by reference to their shape.-Design and development:...
were built, in case of a German invasion.
At the east end of Barton was Becton Farm, where the famous showjumper Marion Coakes
Marion Coakes
Marion Janice Mould is an English show-jumper. She competed for Great Britain at the 1968 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the individual jumping event.- Early life :...
lived. Her horse, Stroller
Stroller (horse)
Stroller was the only pony to compete at the Olympics in Show Jumping.* Color: Bay* Markings: Star, near hind sock* Height: 14.1 hh approx.* Sex: Gelding* Breed: Irish Sport Horse...
, is the only pony
Pony
A pony is a small horse . Depending on context, a pony may be a horse that is under an approximate or exact height at the withers, or a small horse with a specific conformation and temperament. There are many different breeds...
to have competed at the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in Show Jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, winning an Individual Silver Medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
. The pony was buried at the farm. The farm was later bought by Barton-on-Sea Golf Club, and Stroller now lies underneath the golf course where a plaque lies over the grave.
The footballers Russell Perrett
Russell Perrett
Russell Perrett is a former footballer who spent most of his career with Portsmouth and Luton Town.Perett joined Luton Town in the summer of 2001, after spells with [AFC Lymington], Portsmouth and Cardiff City...
, Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Frank Redknapp is a retired English footballer who was active from 1989 until 2005. He is now a football pundit with Sky Sports, and an editorial columnist with the Daily Mail....
, and Neil Moss
Neil Moss (footballer)
Neil Graham Moss is a retired footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Bournemouth.-Playing career:...
, were all born in Barton on Sea. Famous residents of Barton have included the novelist Beatrice Harraden
Beatrice Harraden
Beatrice Harraden was a British writer and suffragette.Born in London on 24 January 1864, Harraden studied in Dresden, at Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Gloucestershire and at Queen’s College and Bedford College in London, and received a bachelor’s degree...
; the cricketer Denys Hill
Denys Hill
Denys Vyvian Hill , nicknamed Hooky Hill,was an English cricketer who played 42 first-class matches in the 1920s...
; and the conductor Harry Norris
Harry Norris (conductor)
Harry Norris was a New Zealand-born conductor best remembered as musical director of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company between 1919 and 1929. After leaving that company, Norris emigrated to Canada to teach but returned to retire in England in the 1960s.-Life and career:Norris was born in...
. George Campbell Wheeler
George Campbell Wheeler
George Campbell Wheeler VC was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:...
who served in the British Indian Army
British Indian Army
The British Indian Army, officially simply the Indian Army, was the principal army of the British Raj in India before the partition of India in 1947...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
also lived here.
Today, Barton-on-Sea is effectively a suburb of New Milton
New Milton
New Milton is a market town in south west Hampshire, England. The town has a high street and holds a market every Wednesday. Situated on the edge of the New Forest, the town is about 6 miles west of Lymington town centre and 12 miles east of Bournemouth town centre.-History:New Milton dates back...
. Barton is a very popular retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
location, and around 36% of the population of Barton on Sea are retired. The population of Barton in the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
was around 6800 people.
Geography
The coast at Barton on Sea is particularly well-known for its geological content, being home to many fossils in the Barton geological bedsBarton Beds
Barton Beds is the name given to a series of grey and brown clays, with layers of sand, of Upper Eocene age , which are found in the Hampshire Basin of southern England. They are particularly well exposed in the cliffs at Barton-on-Sea, which is the world type locality for the Barton Beds, and...
. A cliff-top path runs between Barton and the village of Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea
Milford on Sea is a large village and civil parish located on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. With a population of approximately 4500, Milford has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs in its high street, which borders the village green.-Overview:Milford on Sea is village...
. From there, the Solent Way
Solent Way
The Solent Way is a 60 mile long-distance footpath in Hampshire, southern England. With the exception of a few inland diversions, the path follows the coast of the Solent, the sea strait that separates the mainland England from the Isle of Wight...
stretches all the way to Emsworth
Emsworth
Emsworth is a large village the south coast of England, situated on the Hampshire side of the border between Hampshire and West Sussex. The village lies at the north end of an arm of Chichester Harbour, a large but shallow inlet of the English Channel....
, on the West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
border. It is also well known for the fact that it was the first place in England to try out rock groynes.
The village is separated from the beach by a 35-metre-high cliff although there are connecting paths. The cliffs are frequently used for paragliding
Paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure...
. At the eastern end of the village is the Barton-On-Sea Golf Club, which is notable for comprising three loops of nine holes.
Barton on Sea has had for many years a problem with coastal erosion
Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage...
. In the past, the cliffs have eroded away at a rate of up to 1 metre a year, and several buildings have been lost. In the early 1900’s the grassy promenade at the top of the cliffs was 100 metres wide, today it is around 20 metres at its furthest points. The erosion was not helped by sea-defences further west at Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
starving Barton of sediment needed in its beaches to protect its cliffs. Some coastal protection measures at Barton were installed in the late 1930s but fell into disrepair during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1964 a series of timber groyne
Groyne
A groyne is a rigid hydraulic structure built from an ocean shore or from a bank that interrupts water flow and limits the movement of sediment. In the ocean, groynes create beaches, or avoid having them washed away by longshore drift. In a river, groynes prevent erosion and ice-jamming, which...
s and a cliff drainage system was installed along 300m of the sea-front. This was followed in 1965-8 by a timber revetment backed by large rocks; an extension to the drainage system; and some rock groynes. Later improvements have consisted of replacing the timber groynes with rock groynes; and replacing the timber revetment with a rock structure of dark grey limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
boulders to protect the toe of the cliff. Today’s cliff slip problems are largely due to inland water seepage. There have been recent experiments with vegetation defences (planting shrubs, plants and trees on the cliff face) to prevent rotational cliff slump, and therefore slowing the retreat of the cliff towards land which is in use.
To the west of Barton is Naish, now a holiday park, but which was once a farm estate with a history dating back to the 14th century. To the west of that is Chewton, notable for the chine
Chine
A chine is a steep-sided river valley where the river flows through coastal cliffs to the sea. Typically these are soft eroding cliffs such as sandstone or clays. The word chine originates from the Saxon "Cinan" meaning a gap or yawn....
called Chewton Bunny running down to the sea. To the east of Barton is Becton, now the golf course, but which was once a farm with a history dating back to the Domesday book (the Saxon name means "Becca's farm"). Another chine called Becton Bunny can be found here, but it has become much reduced by coastal erosion. To the east of that are the farmlands of Taddiford ("Toad ford").