England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
West Harnham St George

The Parish

The parish of West Harnham lies in southern Wiltshire close to the border with neighbouring Hampshire. West Harnham, which incorporates the later parish of East Harnham, is located just across the River Avon from Wiltshire's capital city Salisbury. The village formerly sat on the ancient Roman Road which heads southwestwards from Salisbury's river crossings to, eventually the Dorset town of Blandford Forum. Thankfully the modern A384 bypasses the village of Harnham as it is collectively known today. Formerly a separate settlement the village of Harnham has become a modern suburb to the city of Salisbury and with its riverside setting it is a popular place to live. Technically West Harnham is beside the River Nadder which joins the Avon in the eastern edges of the village. Harnham was a small village before modern times and probably earned its living through the water meadows of the Avon & Nadder, which provided rich pastures, and river which powered a mill. Harnham is sited at about 40 metres above sea level although it nowadays spread up the down to the south to double that height. The parish was a small one for the area and supported about 250 parishioners. Strangely there is no entry for Harnham in Domesday Book despite the presence of the Roman road and a Saxon Cemetery within the parish.

The Church

St George's church is located behind houses off Lower Street, a looping lane which heads towards the river from the main street of the modern village. The church is well-screened by modern housing but is accessed by a path through the house from Lower Street. St George's is clearly a rather old church with both nave and chancel dating from the Norman period, although there was much remodeling in the 13th century. The south chapel is slightly later, being in the decorated style. The church does not fit the standard pattern having a curiously placed northern tower - as this is 19th century it is perhaps possible there was a western original which is now lost. A rather severe restoration of 1873 added the incongruous brickwork. Inside there is a fine 13th century wall painting which well worth a viewing. Despite it's unprepossessing access the graveyard is spacious and open allowing fine views of the church from most angles.