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Sherfield English is a small village along the A27, Romsey to Salisbury road, with little more than the church, the Hatchet Inn, the village hall, a garage and a few houses to catch the eye of the speeding motorist. Many of its cottages and lonely farms are located down narrow, winding lands.
Sherfield English has many of the characteristics of the New Forest and its flora, with larger and older trees and denser undergrowth, than the rest of Test Valley.
It was named originally Sirefelle and became Shirefelde in the 13th century. Later 'English' was added to the title after the d'Engleys family. It is not known when the family became tenants of the manor but Gilbert l'Engleys held land in the neighbourhood as early as 1254 and Richard l'Engleys is mentioned in 14th century documents.
St Leonard's Church is the second one on this site, the first being built in the 13th century and the second in 1902 by Lady Caroline Ashburton in memory of her daughter, Mary Florence Marchioness of Northampton - the East window is dedicated to her. St Leonard's dominates the skyline and has an impressive peal of eight bells, which are regularly rung and are famous for their superb sound.
Watercress has been grown at the source of the Sherfield English brook for many years and can still be obtained in the local shops in Romsey. Before the war bunches were sent up to Covent Garden and sold for 1d a bunch. The watercress is still supplied to London hotels.
The Parish Council single point of contact for this site is Mary Newman (Tel: 01794 322273).
The Web Editor for this Parish is Arthur Smythe-Wright (Tel: 01794 340614) - Please contact them or The Local Channel (Tel: 01722 713320) for more information on how to contribute to the site.
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