The

Surroundings.

One word describes the countryside that surrounds Ashmansworth... “Beautiful” Set amongst rolling hills which are comparatively unknown to the tourist, you may expect to enjoy country walks in relative solitude. Only the sound of birds twittering or tractors as they go about their business can be heard. If you don’t like to venture far, simply take a walk around the village where you will find a wealth of history.

 In the main unchanged by time, you will find thatched cottages varying in age and the 12^th century Church of St James which was derelict in the 1890’s now rebuilt to its former glory with donations raised by the clergy of the time. In the porch view “The Finzi Window” in commemoration to Gerald Finzi composer, or venture inside and see the paintings on the walls that were uncovered during the restoration.

Take a walk to the far end of the village and see the old “Pump House” which was still in use well into the 1940’s, where an old village stalwart, Polar May would pump the water up to the water tower which was housed in the garden of Bramble Cottage far along the village.  Imagine him solitary inside the tiny building often visited by children of the village to whom he would recite wonderful stories. 

See the building which was the village school and is now a family home. It is not hard to imagine the hustle bustle of life within its walls as the teacher instructed the children in the three R’s.  

Next to the school is the Village Hall where on this site in 1946 a temporary building was erected in the form of a hut which was donated by the RAF when they left the village. The first meeting of the Parish Council was held on the 25^th June 1946 at 7.30pm.

There used to be five working farms in Ashmansworth, There is only one working dairy farm left in Ashmansworth. Steeles Farm is a lovely old building and has been in the same family since the 1950’s, Owned and run by Pete and Joan Fisher and their sons Mark and Gary, who can often be seen riding around the village in their tractors, you may be lucky and see them ferrying the cows across the road out to graze in the morning and home for milking in the evening.   

A bit of imagination is needed, if you want to see the field where the RAF had their Top Secret Base as nothing remains of the tower or the hut. It was here that one of the most sensitive theatres of war took place. No one, not even the Police, knew what the RAF was doing in Ashmansworth until well after the war was over. It is only now that the records have become available.

Want to venture further afield, then visit Highclere Castle, home of Lord Carnarvon and marvel at relics of Egypt from his private collection or visit his grave at the top of Beacon Hill from where you can enjoy some of the finest views.  

Neighbouring Crux Easton with its fine Windmill recently restored is a tiny hamlet which has been home to some notorious people. Sir Edward Lisle, (nephew of Dame Alice, sympathiser to the Duke of Marlborough and hanged for treason) lived here with his wife and children. Nine of his daughters built the Grotto, which used to stand in the south west corner of Grotto Copse. One of them painted portraits of her friends on the surrounding trees. They were often visited by their friend Alexander Pope who wrote some lines on the grotto.

Rev. De Havilland (father of Geoffrey of flying fame) lived in Crux Easton Rectory from 1897 to 1920.  It was not far from here that Geoffrey made his first test flight near Beacon Hill. Enjoy a lovely walk amongst undulating hills in the area where you can expect to experience some of the most beautiful views around. See the plaque which has been erected on the site.

Later during the Second World War Sir Oswald Moseley, leader of the British Fascists was interred under house arrest at the Rectory, where he carried on farming.

It is said that “The Drove” which runs down to the Newbury, Andover Road is “Haunted” by a woman who drowned herself in the pond. So beware if venturing out for an evening stroll, don’t hang around for too long!

North West of Ashmansworth lies Faccombe a tiny village. There is an interesting church and a pub that serves good food in beautiful surroundings. The large Manor House surrounded by a high flint wall dominates the village. The tiny estate office can be found next to the church and supplies the surrounding villages with wood in the winter.

Take a walk towards Hungerford and experience some of the most panoramic views in the area. See the Faccombe Wind Turbine, top up electricity supply for the village. Combe Gibbet, a local attraction not to be missed stands proud upon Coombe Hill. It was erected on the site of a Neolithic burial mound and used only once when two lovers George Broomham and Dorothy Newman, tried and hanged at Winchester Assizes for murdering George’s wife and son, were brought back to the Gibbet and hung there as an example.   Discover the remains of Walbury Hill Fort one of the oldest sites in the area and walk in the footsteps of Iron Age Warriors.   

View the plaque commemorating the site of an aeroplane which crashed during the war, one of many that came down in the surrounding hills and ponder awhile on memories of time gone by.

Whatever your reason for visiting the Ashmansworth area, you are sure to find something that will interest you. We hope this page has inspired you to come and pay us a visit.