England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Hurstbourne Tarrant St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Hurstbourne Tarrant lies in the extreme northwest of Hampshire, indeed a detached portion of the parish forms part of the border with neighbouring Wiltshire. Hurstbourne Tarrant lies about 5 miles east of the large market town of Andover. The village is compact being built along the A343 road, which links Andover with the Berkshire town of Newbury, and the B3048 which turns southeast off that road. Much of the village lies in the bottom of a valley along which flows the River Swift, a tributary of the Test which is heading for Southampton and the English Channel. The area is underlain with chalk and broad downland dominates as a landform. The area was once renowned for sheep farming although much is now arable despite the flint-ridden soils. Hurstbourne Tarrant lies at about 100 metres above sea level although land rises a further 40 metres to both north & south. The parish is large as befits a downland parish, it covers over 4,400 acres and supported almost 850 parishioners. The parish has a curious extension to it which is embedded within the edge of Vernham Dean parish. In Domesday times the land was held by both King William, himself, and also one Vitalis the priest, the parish supported 18 ploughs and boasted meadows and woodlands.

The Church

St Peter's church lies to the north of the B3048 at the extreme southeast of the village. The church is clearly of great age as the south doorway shows Norman style features. Much else is dateable to the 13th and 14th centuries although the Victorians altered much during the 1890 restoration. The tower is a rather pleasant bell-turret topped with a broach spire, this piece is from the 15th century and makes for a very distinctive profile. The church sits to the north of the road with a grassy slope rising to its elevated setting. Access is through a detached lych gate at the western end of the site. There are quite a few trees dotting the site making sight lines rather tricky although the view from the southeast with the manicured lawned graveyard is rather pleasant.