Farnborough, Berkshire
| Farnborough | |
| Berkshire | |
|---|---|
 Cottages in Farnborough | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU432820 |
| Location: | 51°32’7"N, 1°22’43"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 100 (2001) |
| Post town: | Wantage |
| Postcode: | OX12 |
| Dialling code: | 01488 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | West Berkshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Newbury |
Farnborough is a small village in Berkshire, sitting amongst the Berkshire Downs north of Newbury.
The village is about 5 miles south of Wantage.
Contents
History
In 1924, William Page and Peter Ditchfield described the village as consisting of "a few brick cottages which are of little interest".[1]
Name of the village
The name of Farnborough has appeared in many forms over the ages, including Feornberge (9th century); Fearnbornthaen, Fearbeorh, and Feornbeorh (10th century); Fermberge and Fernbeorngan (11th century); Fernbergam (12th century); and Fearnberughe, Ferenburgh and Farnberg (13th century).[1]
The name is Old English and means "Fern hill", which neatly describes its position.
Geography
The village is amongst the Berkshire Downs. The highest point of the parish is at 720 feet, and is on the hill on which the village is found. The land slopes downwards to the east, west and south; the parish's lowest point is to the east of the village and is at 511 feet.[1]
The village is found on a former pack-horse route between Hungerford and Oxford (by way of Abingdon). In the 18th century the route was diverted; a continuation of the route is evident near East Hendred.[1]
Parish church
The parish church, which is dedicated to All Saints, is found to the south of the village. The building has a chancel, nave, and tower to the west. The majority of the building is of 12th century origin, except the tower (15th century) and the modern porch.[1] Restoration work was carried out to the church in 1883 and 1885, which involved reroofing, new windows, a widening of the chancel arch, and the addition of buttresses to the nave.[1]
Within the graveyard are the remains of a mediæval cross.
Famous people
- John Betjeman lived at Farnborough Rectory and he has a memorial window in the church.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Farnborough, Berkshire) |
References
- Page, William; Ditchfield, P H (1924), "Parishes: Farnborough", A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 4 (Institute of Historical Research), http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=62674, retrieved 15 April 2011
