Swallowfield

This agricultural parish extends northwards from the Hampshire border which is defined by the Roman road to Silchester, known as the Devil's Highway.

Villages and hamlets

The parish contains the villages of Swallowfield, Riseley and Farley Hill, and the hamlets of Stanford End and Riseley Common.

Notable residences in this parish include Farley Court, Farley Castle, Swallowfield Park and Old Tudor Posthouse at Riseley, a most picturesque black-and-white farmhouse dating from the 16th century, and Stanford End farmhouse and mill on the banks of the River Loddon.

History

Mary Mitford came to Swallowfield from Three Mile Cross to spend the last few years of her life, and her grave is in the churchyard.

The parish church, built by Sir John le Despencer in the 13th century, has been considerably altered. Its belfry is of timber and herringbone brickwork. The two Norman doorways, one early and plain and the other later and ornamented, remain from an older building. The nave retains its medieval roof.

View an interactive map of Swallowfield for more details.