Stockbridge - Hampshire

The town of Stockbridge is located in North West Hampshire on the River Test.

Greater Stockbridge includes within its boundaries, the villages of Ashley, Bossington, Broughton, Chilbolton, Houghton, King's Somborne, Leckford, Little Somborne, Longstock, Nether Wallop and Over Wallop.

The meaning of the word Stockbridge is, a bridge over the river. The town is almost midway between Andover to the North and Romsey to the South along the valley of the Test on the A3057, with Sailsbury (A30) to the West and Winchester about 7 miles (B3049) to the East.

One thing you may experience as you drive down the High Street of Stockbridge is a delay to your travel while a passing duck and her ducklings cross from one side of the street to the other. Please show patience as you are passing over the course of the River Test. There are five streams threading their way through the nearby marshy meadows that run under the main road that eventually join up with the river.

This 12th century town consists of one long wide street, and use to be known as "The Street". This street crosses the River Test at the junction of the parishes of Stockbridge and Longstock by a low bridge of three arches rebuilt and widened in 1799.

The population of the town is about 600 people and the locals often refer to Stockbridge as a village but it does have all the hallmarks of a small town with lots of businesses, its own doctors surgery, firm of solicitors, a fire station, bank and post office all down the same street. What a compact, well ordered, small and attractive town this is!

Stockbridge has a thriving high street of small independent shops and businesses including a local Greengrocers, fishmonger and butchers and ample places where you can get a cup of tea and a cake. There are four churches: St Peter's Chapel, a Baptist Chapel, St Thomas More's Roman Catholic Church and just the chancel of the original St Peter's church remains.

Another good reason to visit this small but attractive town is the parking is free! Whenever I have been to the town there have always been plenty of visitors.

Stockbridge - Hampshire - Chandlers Ford Community Website