The Hursley History Page
The parish, famous for both its connections with Richard Cromwell and John Keble (of Keble College, Oxford fame), is centred on the historic downland village of Hursley, which lies roughly mid-way between Winchester and Romsey on the A3090.
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.
Please click on any of the "Hursley History Links" on the left hand side to see more details on each story.
For serious history of Hursley see:
"All Saints' Church, Hursley - History and Guide" by S.C.Rawdon
'A Portait of Hursley', Stan Rawdon, 2002
'Hursley 2000 - a Collection of Memories', Stan Rawdon, 2000
"Merdone, the history of Hursley Park" by D. Len Peach, published by IBM UK Laboratories, Hursley Park, Winchester.
Old inhabitants will tell you that Hursley once had a vampire. Don't believe it. The rumour got around because in 1610, a villager called Wool hanged himself and was buried in unhallowed ground with a stake through his body. That's how they dealt with suicides then. However, there are bats in the church belfry... from extracts by John Bull.
