The manor changed hands many times, having stayed with the de Ports until the 13th century. It was in 1551 that it went to the Paulet family then at the end of the century to the Neales. Thomas Neale sold it to Richard Woollaston in 1678, and it then passed on to the Bouveries and the Burghs and in 1865 to the Wood family of Warnford.

The church of Our Lady, has possible pre-Conquest remains and was entirely rebuilt towards the end of the 12th century by Adam de Port. The early village seems to have been beside the church until mediaeval times when it was moved to where it is today, this shift in settlement was possibly due to the building of a later manor house and park. This 12th century house was built by  the son of Adam de Port, St John and the great ruined aisled hall which was known as King John's Lodge probably got its name from the family. The church is in Warnford Park which is near to the river Meon and access is via a gate on the A32 which can easily be missed.

When we visited there were quite a few people looking around and all of us were disgusted at the state of the graveyard with its overgrown brambles tearing at out clothes and limbs

The manor also had a water and a paper mill in 1752 and there were still standing in 1826. Paper Mill Cottage it is said marks the site of the paper mill which was probably the earliest of its kind in the county.

The village of Warnford was also popular for its trout fishing and for its watercress beds.

The George Hotel in 1900 and in 2005 renamed The George and Falcon Photos kindly sent in by Sheila Dixon, Australia

The Norman tower of the church stands out starkly against the sky and it has unusual circular bell openings, Over the south doorway is a sundial that is from the Saxon period and similar to the one at Corhampton. The church is aisle less in Early English style and was rebuilt about 1190.

In the graveyard is a gravestone to George Lewis and local legend says he was struck down by divine judgement when sawing wood on a Sunday. But this can be disproved as the day 17th December 1830 was a Friday!

It is likely that the estate was landscaped by Capability Brown who was asked by the 12th Earl of Clanricarde to have a look at his estate which was then called Belmont.

Coming out of the church,  turn to your left and walk round the church. Under a holly tree on the bank is a grave stone with an unusual carving of a tree with a sawn-off limb and a skeleton pointing at it, his saw leaning against the tree. It tells how George Lewis, the estate carpenter, was in the habit of cutting trees on a Sunday in spite of warnings and continued until one day a branch fell and killed him.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY

IMAGES OF WARNFORD

		The bridge over the river in the village
The remains of King John's House, or St John's House as it should be more correctly called, are behind the church. It was probably built during the reign of King John (1199-1216) it is true, but it belonged to the St John family. It has been a ruin since at least the time of James I.