Cliddesden Village Booklet - Print

Cliddesden (VB091) is a comprehensive study of the history of this rural Hampshire village and the parish of St Leonard.  It is located two miles south of Basingstoke and west of the A339.  The original parish had a detached part at Hatch which is now part of Basingstoke and north of the M3.  The Basingstoke to Alton railway branch line ran through the parish, it closed in 1936 and was the location for the film “Oh! Mr. Porter” in 1937.  A school has existed since 1656 when Ann DODDINGTON had it built, this was replaced by the new school built in 1876 which still exists today.  Many surnames of ancient families associated with the parish include BUDD who farmed locally, including at Hatch Warren, with other names including COX, FARMER, HARFIELD, SWITZUR, and SIMONDS of Brewery fame at the start of the 21st Century.