Hampshire Buildings

Location

Last Visited: 2016

The Jolly Sailor Funicular

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There can't be many pubs in this country that can boast their own funicular railway (or even a cog lift if you want to be pedantic).

Admittedly the one at the Jolly Sailor in Old Bursledon is for goods only; the punters either have to walk down the steep steps from the road to the river bank or, one suspects in most cases, arrive by boat.

I haven't visited the pub, but it seems to get good reviews.

Location

Last Visited: 2014

Fort Gilkicker Gosport

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Fort Gilkicker is one of a ring of forts around Portsmouth and Gosport built in the 19th century known as the Palmerston Forts. Nearby Fort Nelson, now the home to the Royal Armouries, is another example.

The fort has twenty two gun emplacements set in a semi-circular series of granite-faced casemates, and was designed to sweep the approaches to Portsmouth harbour with gun fire.

Built on the site of the earlier Fort Monckton Auxiliary Battery, construction commenced in 1863 and was completed in 1871. It was stood down in 1956.

Location

Last Visited: 2013

Longbridge Mill

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Longbridge Mill in Sherfield on Loddon is a restored water mill with a large waterwheel and milling machinery.

Restored in 1991, it is in full working order and still in regular use, albeit only once a month.

It is housed in a timber-framed building dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. The adjoining mill house is now a pub, offering standard Vintage Inns fare (and very good it is too).

At the time of my visit (2014) milling days were the fourth Saturday of each month, and milling took place between 12 noon and 4 pm. Admission is free. At other times the mill wass open on static display between 11am to 11pm. It can be viewed through glass from the restaurant, and you can ask the staff for access. The wholemeal flour is for sale behind the bar.

Location

Last Visited: 2016

Warblington Castle

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As you walk along the coastal path to the east of Langstone, the scant remains of Warblington Castle are clearly visible. Unfortunately, as they are on private land, the nearer you get, the more difficult they are to see.

It was never a castle as such, although there may have been a crenellated medieval manor on the site. This was rebuilt between 1515 and 1525 by Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, the daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, the brother of Edward IV and Richard III.

The house was demolished by Parliamentarian forces during the Civil War. One turret of the gatehouse was left, however, as an aid to navigation for ships in Langstone channel.

Location

Last Visited: 2016

The City Mill

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The City Mill in Winchester has had a chequered history.

Although there has been a corn mill on the site since at least Saxon times, the current building dates from 1744.

Milling ceased sometime in the early 1900s when all the mill machinery was stripped out and it became a laundry.

In 1928 it was offered for sale and, in order to prevent its demolition, it was bought by a group of benefactors who presented it to the National Trust. After spending many years as a popular youth hostel, restoration began in the early 1990s.

Milling recommenced in 2004 using a pair of millstones which came from Abbotstone Mill in Hampshire. Milling takes place most weekends but check the National Trust web site for details.

These days, from the ground floor up, the interior of the mill is basically a large open space with various exhibits dotted around the sides. The single pair of mill stones look more like one of the exhibits than an integral part of the building.

Down in the basement things are much better. Here the power of the mill can be felt as the waterwheel turns the major gear wheels. The latter were rescued from nearby Durngate Mill.

Location

Last Visited: 2014

Bursledon Windmill

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The current Bursledon Windmill, a five storey tower mill, was built in 1814. It replaced an earlier tower mill dating back to 1766. It ceased working in the 1880s, and was derelict in 1978.

Between 1978 and 1991, the mill was restored by the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust. The sails were replaced in 1990, and the mill finally opened to the public in May 1991.

At the time of my visit (2014) it was out of action as a major restoration project is underway. This involves replacing the wind shaft, to which the sails are attached and which drives all the mill machinery.

One I shall be going back to, once it is fully reopened.