Whitsbury
Encyclopedia
Whitsbury is a village in Hampshire
, England
, close to Fordingbridge
.Whitsbury is part of the group of villages on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. The first record of Whitsbury was around the time of the tenant-in-Chief Robert fitz Gerald, in the Domesday book (originally mentioned as Witeberge); However habitation of the site extends further back. Throughout the history of the village, there has always been the constant presence of St Leonard's Church, situated someway north of the main village.
The Iron Age
hillfort of Whitsbury Castle
lies close by to the north, although some parts of the earthworks were destroyed to make way for a post-medieval manor house.
Today the village only contains the Cartwheel Inn. However there was once a shop, small post office and a Village school, located just to the south of Major's Farm, it was demolished during the 1950s and no sign of it now remains. The main employment is based upon the very successful equine and agricultural industry, comprising 4 major yards of racing stables, stud and dairy. Consequently, the people-intense nature of these businesses has allowed Whitsbury to retain a charm that has been lost in many other villages and communities. Desert Orchid Gold Cup winner was trained in whitsbury racing stables.
William Hill, of the betting shop fame is buried in Whitsbury.
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...
, close to Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge
Fordingbridge is a town and civil parish with a population of 5,700 on the River Avon in the New Forest District of Hampshire, England, near to the Dorset and Wiltshire borders and on the edge of the New Forest. It is south west of London, and south of the city of Salisbury. Fordingbridge is a...
.Whitsbury is part of the group of villages on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs
Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs
The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers of Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. It is the sixth largest AONB in the country....
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...
. The first record of Whitsbury was around the time of the tenant-in-Chief Robert fitz Gerald, in the Domesday book (originally mentioned as Witeberge); However habitation of the site extends further back. Throughout the history of the village, there has always been the constant presence of St Leonard's Church, situated someway north of the main village.
The Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hillfort of Whitsbury Castle
Whitsbury Castle
Whitsbury Castle, or Whitsbury Castle Ditches, is the site of an Iron Age univallate hillfort located in Hampshire. The fort is roughly pear-shaped, located on a chalk outcrop, and covering approximately sixteen acres. The defenses comprise two large ramparts with outer ditches and an additional...
lies close by to the north, although some parts of the earthworks were destroyed to make way for a post-medieval manor house.
Today the village only contains the Cartwheel Inn. However there was once a shop, small post office and a Village school, located just to the south of Major's Farm, it was demolished during the 1950s and no sign of it now remains. The main employment is based upon the very successful equine and agricultural industry, comprising 4 major yards of racing stables, stud and dairy. Consequently, the people-intense nature of these businesses has allowed Whitsbury to retain a charm that has been lost in many other villages and communities. Desert Orchid Gold Cup winner was trained in whitsbury racing stables.
William Hill, of the betting shop fame is buried in Whitsbury.