Hampshire’s historic abandoned villages

Desolate roads and empty house seem like things out of story books but surprisingly Hampshire is home to several abandoned villages.

Here are the forgotten villages that were lost in time.

Hartley Mauditt

Google street view

This abandoned medieval village is situated in rural Hampshire just 2.6 miles South East of Alton. 

In the Domesday survey of 1086, Hartley Mauditt, then know has Herlege, recorded a population of 19, and a later document dated 1283 names 23 tenants in the village.

The precise reason for abandonment of the village is not known, but it is believed to have been uninhabited since the 18th century.

Today all that remains of the village is the 12th century St Leonard’s church.

Abbotstone

Google street view

The ancient parish of Abbotstone lies on the eastern side of Candover valley. According to the Domesday Book (1086) the small village used to include a mill and evidence suggests that the settlement flourished until the early 14th century.

Historical evidence suggests that the abandonment of the village was linked with the growth of nearby Alresford Burgus in the 13th century.

As the village declined the church of St. Martyn became derelict and its structure was removed.

Colemore

Google street view

Found in the Hampshire Downs about 5 miles northwest of Petersfield is Colemore.  The desolate village used to boast several houses and now in their place stands an ancient monument.

Whilst the village’s 11th century former parish church is still standing, it is no longer in use and instead is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.