HAMP5HIRE

3 miles north-west of Pordingbridge

In many villages the more attractive houses must be diligently sought out: not so in Rockbourne. Its single long street, which runs beside a winding chalk stream, is made up almost entirely of 16th to 18th-century houses, and some splendid cottages. There is no uniformity: clay-and-straw cob walls and thatch roof~ stand happily next to brick and tile, timber and stone. Large gardens and a multitude of trees help in the harmonious blending of styles. Small bridges link the houses beside the stream to the village street. The stream is a winterbourne - it flows only in winter or other periods of high rainfall and is usually dry in summer.

At the north end there is a cluster of medieval farm buildings, including a great barn. They lie alongside a chalky track leading up to the downs. Across the gravelled courtyard in front of the manor house a long flight of steps flanked by an immense yew hedge leads up to St Andrew’s Church, perched on a grassy hillside from which there is a fine view of the village.

The church has architectural features of almost

every period from the 13th century to the present day, as well as a Norman arch. It houses imposing memorials to the Coote family, notably one to Lieutenant-General Sir Eyre Coote, who distinguished himself as one of Clive of India’s officers at the Battle of Plassey in Bengal in 1757 and died in 1783. Behind the large churchyard is an unspoiled area of open country where nature lovers can observe the plants, birds and animals of the chalk downlands.

Half a mile south-east of the village are the excavated remains of a vast Roman villa. It has two wings, each with a bathing suite, and 73 rooms have been uncovered - some with mosaic floors. Coins found indicate that it was occupied from the 2nd century until the Romans left in the 5th century.

[hampshirevillages]