Martin, Wiltshire
| Martin | |
| Wiltshire | |
|---|---|
 The village water pump in Martin | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU069194 |
| Location: | 50°58’28"N, 1°54’9"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 398 (2011) |
| Post town: | Fordingbridge |
| Postcode: | SP6 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | New Forest |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
New Forest West |
Martin is a small village in the very south of Wiltshire, on Cranborne Chase a mile and a half from the Dorset border (marked here by the Bokerley Dyke to the west) and from the Hampshire border to the east.
The nearest town is Fordingbridge in Hampshire, seven miles to the southeast. Wiltshire's own county town, the cathedral city of Salisbury, is twelve miles to the north-east of Martin.
Geography
Martin stands on the Allen River, a tributary of the River Avon. The village street runs north-west to south-east through the parish.[1] The hamlets of East Martin and Tidpit are close by.[2] The main Dorchester to Salisbury road, to A354, passes about half a mile to the west of the village.
Parish church
The parish church at Martin is All Saints' Church.
The church dates from the Norman period, the earliest masonry being of the 12th century, although much of its fabric seen today is of the fourteenth century. It has a 13th century tower. The church underwent a restoration in the Victorian period.[3]
About the village
The village green still has the village pump, consisting of an iron frame with a cranked spindle through it. The base of the 15th century village cross can also be seen here.
The chalk grasslands of Martin Down have been declared a national nature reserve.
In popular culture
In 1983 Martin was used as one of the two real life locations for the Doctor Who story The Awakening.[4] The other village used was Shapwick in Dorset.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Martin, Wiltshire) |
References
- ↑ Martin – A History of the County of Wiltshire - Volume : {{{2}}} (Victoria County History)
- ↑ About Martin, Martin Parish Council
- ↑ National Heritage List 1094828: All Saints' Church, Martin
- ↑ The Awakening, www.doctorwholocations.net