Frenchmoor

Civil Parish in Hampshire Test Valley

England

Frenchmoor

Crop field near West Dean Credit: JThomas

Frenchmoor is a civil parish located in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England. Situated approximately 6 miles southwest of the town of Andover, Frenchmoor covers an area of around 1.5 square miles. The parish is primarily a rural area characterized by its picturesque countryside and charming village atmosphere.

Frenchmoor is home to a small population, estimated to be around 100 residents. The parish is known for its tranquil setting and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The landscape is dominated by rolling hills, lush green fields, and pockets of woodlands, creating an idyllic backdrop for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, and horse riding.

The heart of Frenchmoor is the village itself, which consists of a handful of residential properties, a village hall, and a church. The village hall serves as a focal point for community events and gatherings, providing a space for locals to come together and socialize. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, dates back to the 12th century and is an architectural gem with its Norman features and beautiful stained glass windows.

Despite its small size, Frenchmoor is conveniently located near several larger towns and cities. Andover, with its amenities and transport links, is within easy reach, providing residents with access to a wider range of services and facilities.

Overall, Frenchmoor offers a peaceful and picturesque countryside setting, making it an appealing place to live for those seeking a quieter rural lifestyle.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Frenchmoor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.051421/-1.607773 or Grid Reference SU2728. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crop field near West Dean

JThomas

Grazing towards the Southampton Canal

JThomas

Grazing and woodland near East Dean

JThomas

Through the fields towards West Dean

Nigel Thompson

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Rural garden sheds

Nigel Thompson

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Fields near East Dene

Nigel Thompson

View from a Southampton-Salisbury train - Crossing the River Dun

Nigel Thompson

Dean Hill Park: aerial 2017

Former Royal Naval Armaments Depot Dean Hill. The MoD opened up a rail link running behind East Dean’s ancient church to bring weapons in and out of the site and the depot was opened in 1941. After the end of World War II, the Dean Hill depot continued to process and store the Royal Navy’s conventional weapons and provided overflow storage for more sophisticated weapons for RNAD Gosport. In 1994, the MoD closed the rail link and thereafter weapons were moved in and out of the site by road. In 2006, when Harving Ltd took over Dean Hill Park, it also acquired the narrow-gauge track, extending to some 7 km, as well as two Baguley Drewry diesel 60hp locomotives, two brake vans and a number of railway wagons. But, having assessed the costs involved in maintaining the rail track and rolling stock, Harving has reluctantly decided that it should be removed and sold. Most of the track has already been lifted, leaving the railway formation, which will provide tracks for pedestrians and vehicles around the site as well as preserving important environmental habitats. For full history see: Link

Chris

River Dun above Holbury Mill

David Martin

Winding hill in Holbury Lane

David Martin

South Lodge, Tytherley Common

The OS shows a drive leading to Norman Court, a grand house a full two kilometres further north. So this building served as an entrance lodge - though it has a definite swagger about it, and might better be termed a pavilion. I can't find an entry in the Hampshire volume of Pevsner*, but the lodge's Ionic pilasters are its most prominent architectural feature. That squares well with Pevsner's description of Norman Court, where 'giant Ionic pilasters' are a feature of the earlier work. The architect may have been George Dance. *Pevsner and Lloyd - 'The Buildings of England: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight'.

Stefan Czapski

Drove Farm Cottage, Tytherley Common

Stefan Czapski

Dean House: red brick at West Dean

Here in Wiltshire red brick often has flint as a partner. The use of brick on its own gives a less rustic impression - was the intention to convey higher social standing? The road runs downhill into the valley of the little River Dun - notice the grit-bin for wintry weather.

Stefan Czapski

Butterflies in Bentley Wood: (1) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Clossiana selene)

Seen in the rushy east clearing at Bentley Wood. The wood is one of the best-known butterfly sites in the southern counties.

Stefan Czapski

Butterflies in Bentley Wood: (2) Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Clossiana selene)

Stefan Czapski

Butterflies in Bentley Wood: (3) Marsh Fritillary (Eurodryas aurinia)

A scarce species, that I had met with only once before in England - way back in 1985, at a site from which (in all likelihood) it has now been lost. The species is found in small colonies at traditional sites and the sparse UK distribution has retreated westward. In England, the strongest colonies seem to be in Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall - and there are known colonies in south west Wales.

Stefan Czapski