History

Whitsbury is a village in Hampshire, England, close to Fordingbridge,  part of the group of villages on the edge of the Cranbourne 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. 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.

Foundations of a Roman building, containing a hypocaust and New Forest pottery of the 2nd and 3rd century ad, were found in a field between the church and Glebe House.

There is evidence of even earlier habitation in Whitsbury. At the northern end of the village, by Whitsbury Stud, is a fine example of a fortified Iron Age camp. Whitsbury Castle covers 16 acres (6.5ha) and is surrounded by a triple circle of great banks with two deep ditches. Re-occupied after the Romans departed, it was from here that native Britons probably engaged the advancing Saxons in battle, holding them at the River Avon for over 50 years. The Castle Ditches formed part of a group of fortifications, with Clearbury Ring and Old Sarum, guarding these lonely uplands.