Bishops Sutton

Geography

The parish of Bishops Sutton, containing 3,739 acres (15.13 km²) of land and 9 acres (36,000 m²) of land covered with water, is of an irregular shape, the central part, in which the village stands, being in the comparatively low ground (250 ft. above sea level) by the head-waters of the River Alre, while a long strip runs north-east between the parishes of Bighton and Ropley, rising to a height of 500 ft (150 m) along the downs to the north. South of the river the boundary extends to the high ground above Cheriton Wood and Bramdean Common. Watercress cultivation and as at present crop agriculture with pasture formed a major occupation, the soil being quite chalky but southern areas being arable. The advent of the Mid Hants Railway also known as the Watercress Line meant fresh watercress from beds by the calciferous, high, clear River Alre could be delivered to the metropolis of London and elsewhere. Bypassed by an addition to the A31, the historic road bears medium to low traffic into Alresford and two side roads, Church Lane and School Lane with that road form the main developed area.

History

At the time of the Domesday Survey the place was recorded as Sudtone i.e. Bishop's Sutton (which included Ropley), and Bramdean). The hundred of Bishop's Sutton was known as the hundred of 'Esselei', and comprised those places as well as West Tisted. The villages is by or on (depending on which track was preferred) the Pilgrims' Way between Winchester and Canterbury, which can still be walked via the North Downs Way.

A gazetteer of 1868 links Bishops Sutton with a residence of the Bishop of Winchester, saying it is now a malthouse however one of 1872 says the Bishops had a palace here and the only suggested remains are its kennel. The 1871 population was 537 in 114 houses.

Esselei was a small hundred and in the eighteenth century, a law in England amended the hundreds which were of decreasing importance: from that date all manors within the immediate area were recorded in the Hundred of Bishops Sutton by law.

Some buildings are thatched however given its history and conservation area relatively few buildings are listed: at Grade I is the Church of St Nicholas built in the 12th century, at grade II* is Sutton Manor House and at a Grade II are Western Court Farmhouse, Old Ship Cottages, Newhouse Farmhouse, Granary 10m NW of Bassetts Farm Cottage, 2 Church Lane, Garden Wall in front of Sutton Manor House, Ship Inn, 1 Church Lane, Old Mill House, The Old Post Office, Tavy Cottage Yeoman's Cottage, Dairy Cottage, Grove Cottage and Bassett Farm Cottage, several of which entries show parts that date back to have Tudor architecture.

Governance

Bishops Sutton in elections every four years elects one representative to Hampshire County Council, this is currently:

Bishops Sutton elects one representatives to the City of Winchester District Council, currently:

The parish council has 6 elected councillors and a website with local news and events.

Economy, Amenities and Community Life

Much of the population is retired with a range of events and activities organised by the parish council to transcend the generations thus the village managed to win the Hampshire and Isle of Wight village of the year award in 2011, among the major draws are a summer fete, a charity race quasi-betting night at the large public house, The Ship Inn, an active village hall with links to businesses and a pond/meadow open for local recreation. The average commute of working is 24.36 kilometres (15.14 mi).