Awbridge

Awbridge
Hampshire
All Saints Church, Awbridge
Location
Location:	51°-0’48"N, 1°31’51"W
Data
Population:	709
Post town:	Romsey
Postcode:	SO51
Dialling code:	01794
Local Government
Council:	Test Valley
Parliamentary constituency:	North West Hampshire

Awbridge is a small village and civil parish in Hampshire, about three miles north-west of Romsey, near the River Test. According to the 2001 census the parish, which includes the villages of Awbridge, Upper Ratley and Lower Ratley, had a population of 695. Commonly the terms Upper and Lower Ratley are dropped, with locals referring to the entire area as Awbridge. Confusingly, the intersection through the village of its three main roads, location of the village school, and previously Post Office, is in Upper Ratley, and is denoted on Maps as such, with the mapped location of Awbridge being further towards Romsey than is generally accepted.

As if this naming ambiguity is not enough, there is often a 'Kent's Oak', listed on maps of the area as if this were also a location in its own right. It is a large oak tree in the corner of the school field, and despite its impressive size and age is no more than a local landmark, and not another village. As well though there exists a fine house, now a home for the elderly named Kent's Oak which was formerly a children's home run by Hampshire County Council. Adjacent is Little Kent's Oak - another house built in later years though of similar appearance yet smaller.

Locally, the name of the village is pronounced 'A-bridge', with the letter 'w' silent. This pronunciation can be the subject of some snobbery (and reverse-snobbery).

It is within walking distance of Kimbridge, Dunbridge and Mottisfont, with Dunbridge providing a railway link to both Salisbury (to the north-west) and Southampton (to the south).

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Awbridge)

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