West Dean
The visitor approaching West Dean from Whiteparish in the south will come via a minor road and climb Dean Hill and here can be found some extensive views of the surrounding woodland and small fields, but there does not seem to be any habitation, but this soon changes as on the way down there are large black iron fences warning people of guard dogs, this is a sure indication of the armament depot that is there, this was closed in 2002.

The village is right on the Wiltshire and Hampshire border and in the Red Lion the western half is in Wiltshire and the eastern in Hampshire. The best cottages though are on the Hampshire side and there is a lovely grassed area in front of the Red Lion where one can sit and feed the ducks and geese that seem to be always here.

This little village has two churches and both are dedicated to St Mary though only parts of the first remain after it was turned into a mortuary chapel, The new one is built of red brick and has a wooden belfry and was built in 1866.

The main house in the village was Dean House which no longer exists, it was the home of the Evelyns and became the home of the Duke of Kingston whose daughter Lady Mary Worthey Montague wore the following about the local squire and gentleman.

'. .. insensible of other pleasures than hunting and drinking.
The consequence of which is, the poor female part of their
family being seldom permitted a coach, or at best but a couple
of starved jades to drag a dirty chariot, their lords and masters
having no occasion for such a machine, as their mornings are
spent among hounds, and the nights with as beastly companions,
with what liquor they can get in this country, which is
not very famous for good drink.'
 

In the centre of the village is the canal wharf of the Southampton and Salisbury Canal which was started in 1795 and suffered badly from flooding and poor workmanship as well as bad management and the lack of funds, thus it only reached as far as Alderbury. Some goods were carried to West Grimstead from the River Test until 1808.

IMAGES OF WEST DEAN

 

St Mary's church

    
 

Geese by the river in West Dean
 
     
The Hampshire Border sign