About Sparsholt, Hampshire
Sparsholt is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England. The village lies to the west of Winchester, and has a population of 967. Sparsholt College, a leading land-based college and home to the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time 'potting shed', is located on the outskirts of the village. The parish church, St. Stephen's, contains sections ranging from 12th to 19th century in age. The parish also contains the small hamlet of Dean, Farley Mount Country Park and Crab Wood SSSI. The grounds of the 17th century Lainston House contain the ruins of the 12th century St. Peter's church. Archaeological discoveries include Bronze Age bowl and disc barrows. Just west of the village is Sparsholt Roman Villa. It was constructed in phases from the 2nd to the 4th century, and then abandoned. It was excavated in 1965-72. Nothing is visible at the site today, but finds from the excavations are on display in Winchester City Museum, and one wing of the villa has been reconstructed at Butser Ancient Farm. Today Sparsholt is served by a regular bus service, operated by Stagecoach from Winchester Bus Station. However, the village's narrow lanes make accessibility difficult for large vehicles.
Sparsholt, Hampshire Description
Sparsholt is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England. The village lies to the west of Winchester, and has a population of 967. Sparsholt College, a leading land-based college and home to the BBC Radio 4 Gardeners' Question Time 'potting shed', is located on the outskirts of the village. The parish church, St. Stephen's, contains sections ranging from 12th to 19th century in age. The parish also contains the small hamlet of Dean, Farley Mount Country Park and Crab Wood SSSI. The grounds of the 17th century Lainston House contain the ruins of the 12th century St. Peter's church. Archaeological discoveries include Bronze Age bowl and disc barrows. Just west of the village is Sparsholt Roman Villa. It was constructed in phases from the 2nd to the 4th century, and then abandoned. It was excavated in 1965-72. Nothing is visible at the site today, but finds from the excavations are on display in Winchester City Museum, and one wing of the villa has been reconstructed at Butser Ancient Farm. Today Sparsholt is served by a regular bus service, operated by Stagecoach from Winchester Bus Station. However, the village's narrow lanes make accessibility difficult for large vehicles.