Upham Parish is in the Hundred of Bishop's Waltham and was a tithing in a court roll that was dated 1236. The modern Parish of Upham that includes the Wintershill Estate formed a part of the Manor of Bishop's Waltham during the Middle Ages.

Wintershill estate was first recorded in 1420 and was later passed to Edward Upham. The estate was eventually given the status of a manor in 1500 and it was occupied by different families throughout the centuries, Durley Hall Farm was the original manor house and the 16th century ruin is now within Durley Parish. The Wintershill Hall of today was built in 1852.

There was an old poor-house in Upham and this has now been made into cottage and one of the rules of the old poor house read:

"That all persons, both men, women and children, shall attend Divine Service every Sunday morning at eleven o'clock, or else go without dinner, except such as are not able by infirmity or age."

The Brushmakers Arms gets its name from the once flourishing industry of making brushes and during the civil war a cavalry regiment used the church, an entry in the Churchwarden's Accounts dated 11th April 1642 states "For cleansing the church against Christmas, after the troopers had abused it for a stable for their horses, 2s 6d."

Edward Young the 17th century author of 'Night Thoughts' and other works was born in the Rectory but moved when still a young boy. He later became rector to Winchester School but seemed to be happy here and decided not to follow in his fathers footsteps and become Dean of Salisbury and a Royal Chaplain

The main street and cottages in the village
The parish church of the Blessed Mary

Nothing remains of the 13th century church except for the foundations, and bells, the registers being held at the County Record Office in nearby Winchester.

THE UPHAM GHOST

As mentioned above the Brushmakers armed is so called because of the travelling brush makers who made the Vale of Upham their home, The brooms were made of Hazel sticks cut from the hedges that line the roads of the Hampshire countryside.

A Mr. Chickett was a regular guest and he was well known for the good quality of his goods and he made a good living selling them, and he was also known to be careful with his money and always carried his cash around with him, and slept with his money tucked under his pillow.

One night however he was attacked in his sleep at the Inn and he not only lost his money but his life as well. Despite vigorous investigations the murderer was never caught but Mr. Chickett's ghost has been seen on many occassions either searching for his killer or for his money, haunting the rooms where he had slept for the last time.

Reports also say that shadowy figures have been seen in the room and dogs have been report to have shown fear and restlessness growling softly and laying back their ears at something that they have sensed here.

HISTORY OF UPHAM CHURCH