Purbrook
  Lying to the south of Waterlooville is the residential area of Purbrook  which is said to have got its name from 'Puck Brook' (Brook of the water sprite) which is the only free water in the area During the thirteenth century it was even called Pukebrook, and in 1710 it was Purbeck Heath. The area also includes Crookhorn where there has been evidence found of Roman occupation.

The Church of St John the Baptist was built in 1843 but was not consecrated until 1858 due to a disagreement with the Lord of the Manor, Sir John Deverell and the rector of Farlington because the Purbook villages had normally attended his church.

Purbrook house has been converted to a school with the Deverell family buying some of the old estate and the new squire Sir John had a new Purbrook Park House built

In Crookhorn Lane there is a plantation of birch and sycamores planted to commemorate 2nd Lt. Grenville Grey, Kings Royal Rifles 1915. Also men of Hampshire killed in Korea. Planted by 'Men of the Trees' Society.

The Portsmouth to Sheet Turnpike road followed what is now the A3 Portsmouth to London road. People normally used to go from Cosham to Havant and then on the Sheet thus avoiding the Forest of Bere as they were a bit wary of highwaymen,as well as a fear of getting lost. Before the turnpike was built travellers would hire a guide in Purbrook to help them get through the forest to Horndean and he would leave the party and a Horndean man would take them on to Petersfield.
Photo: Fir Woods Stakes Road Purbrook
 Old Photographs by C. H. T Marshall  from the Steve Pethybridge Collection.		  

There were three inns here in 1859, The Leopard an old coaching inn, The White Hart and The Woodman the latter of which was listed as a beer house. Up until the beginning of the 20th century, it is said that the sport of cockfighting took place at the stables of the White Hart.

 
Purbrook street scene
 
The Church school house   St John the Baptist church


 

 
London Road in the early 1900s   The Manor House Purbrook 1898

Photographs by C.H.T Marshall  from the Steve Pethybridge Collection.
Kindly contributed by Steve Pethybridge

Sir Charles Napier a hero of both the India war and the Peninsular War lived at Oaklands and the house was enlarged and became a school for Catholic children, and its  concert hall was well known by those of the musical societies. Purbrook Park Estate was sold in 1919 and it was demolished an a new building put in its place and Park Avenue was one of the carriageways of the estate.

The nearby hamlet of Stakes is now a part of Purbrook and it was named after the De Stakes family who were local lords. The original name was

Friendstaple  a housing estate, got its name from the nearby hamlet of this name which was later called Stakes after the De Stakes family who were local lords. Today Stakes is now a part of Purbrook.