Winchester has many local attractions, some of the best are just a few miles outside its city walls, its market town's.
Lying in the heart of Test Valley, the wide picturesque Stockbridge High Street reflects its early role as part of a drovers road where it was common to see flocks of sheep or herds of cattle being driven through the town en route from Wales. Seek out the Drovers House and you can still spot a sign in Welsh. The town of Stockbridge, with its long and varied history, has inspired many poets over the years and there is a trail of ten poems, set in stone, metal plaques and etched glass, for you to follow as you wander through the town, discovering its treasures.
Review the load pocket guide attached with this blog.
Alresford is the perfect place for strolling and there is plenty to please the eye. There are actually two Alresfords, the beautiful Georgian Town which for many centuries was a prosperous wool town and the village of Old Alresford a mile away to the North. Old Alresford is mentioned in the Domesday Book but the present town of New Alresford did not come into existence much before 1200. Read more? Or down load the pocket guide.
From the impressive ruins of the medieval Bishop of Winchester’s Palace to the numerous listed buildings of the town centre, history is everywhere.
The name of the town is also Saxon, being derived from two words - 'wald' (forest) and 'ham' (settlement). It earned the name 'Bishop's Waltham' when, in 904 AD, King Alfred’s son, King Edward the Elder, granted the land to Denewulf, Bishop of Winchester, in exchange for land in Portchester. For more information click here.
Twyford is a village near Winchester in Hampshire at the western edge of the South Downs National Park. With mentions going back to 963. The village has a number of community facilities as well as shops and pubs. More information.
Sutton Scotney has a population of more than 200, and had a watercress-based economy. Its best-known resident was J. Arthur Rank who took the name of the village as part of his title when he was ennobled.
Micheldever offers a magnificent Church of St Mary, hidden behind trees off Church Street and boasting an octagonal nave, but it is more than that, it is a community, whitewashed cottages, some original timber framed cottages, thatched roofs, a village centre, local school and village hall these and its residents are what make Micheldever unique. More information, click here.
Hursley, sometimes known as "The Village of Chimneys" because of the tall highly decorated rubbed brick chimneys, which decorate many of the older buildings, the village is home to IBM (UK) Laboratories, who occupy Hursley Park, the "Big House" of the village. Web link
