Holybourne
Holybourne is on the eastern edge of Alton. It is referred to as ‘Haliborne’ in the Domesday Book and the name may come from the Old English ‘Haligburna’ which means ‘sacred stream’ after the fresh water spring in the churchyard.
Its history goes back to Roman times is it is near the Roman posting station (Mansio) of Vindomi, believed to be at the crossing of two Roman roads – Winchester to London and Silchester to Chichester. The main street was the old road between Winchester and London but the village is now by-passed.
The Saxon Church of the Holy Rood was enlarged in Norman and Victorian times and, nearby, is a large pond.
Famous connections include author Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) who bought a house there in 1865. She died suddenly when visiting the house on 12 November 1865.
The village is also notable for the Holybourne Theatre, whose first production was in 1950 in a Nissen hut left over from the war. They moved to the present theatre in 1971 which was opened by Sir Michael Redgrave.
Holybourne village website (opens in new window)
