The Parish of Oliver's Battery was formed in 1956 from part of Compton Parish, and covers only 300 acres. Most of the modern residential development occurred during the 1960s, but there are some old cottages which were built for employees of the Hursley Hunt. The name of Old Kennels Lane indicates the proximity of the Hunt stables and kennels. It is now a large residential area with a few old cottages. The parish itself was fromed in 1956 from part of Compton Parish and covers only about 300 acres.

The name  derives from the prehistoric earth work which was used as a camp by Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War. The battery of guns together with horses, ammunition, troops and stores was drawn up on the hillock overlooking Winchester.

It was in October 1645 that Cromwell asked for the surrender of the city without loss of life"I come not to this city but with a full resolution to save it and the inhabitants thereof from ruin . . . I only expect you to give me entrance . . . without necessitating me to force my way" he wrote to the Mayor. Ralph Riggs, who was then the Mayor of Winchester sent his reply within thirty minutes that he could not open the gates of the city to Cromwell as the responsibility for this laid with Lord Ogle who was the temporary military governor of the city, so it was that Winchester resisted the Parliamentarians and thus Cromwell amassed his troop on the ancient earthwork. On the morning of 4th October shots were fired , Ogle called a truce but then broke off all negotiations when he saw troops advancing which he mistakenly thought were Royalists coming to help the besieged city, unfortunately they were Roundheads that were let by William Waller. Then the guns on Oliver's Battery started again.

Winchester did indeed surrender to Cromwell on 6 October and though it was a strong garrison and both the city and the castle were well stocked with provisions and other stores the defenders would not have held out under siege for weeks.