Milford on Sea
Encyclopedia
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
located on the south coast of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the county of Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. With a population of approximately 4500, Milford has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs in its high street, which borders the village green.
Overview
Milford on Sea is village on the shore of the SolentSolent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
, in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. The village is scenic in location, protected from development by a surrounding green belt of land. From the beach in Milford The Needles
The Needles
The Needles is a row of three distinctive stacks of chalk that rise out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight, England, close to Alum Bay. The Needles lighthouse stands at the end of the formation...
of the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
are on most days clearly visible. On the coast to the west on a clear night, the conurbation of Christchurch
Christchurch, Dorset
Christchurch is a borough and town in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. The town adjoins Bournemouth in the west and the New Forest lies to the east. Historically in Hampshire, it joined Dorset with the reorganisation of local government in 1974 and is the most easterly borough in...
, Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
and Poole
Poole
Poole is a large coastal town and seaport in the county of Dorset, on the south coast of England. The town is east of Dorchester, and Bournemouth adjoins Poole to the east. The Borough of Poole was made a unitary authority in 1997, gaining administrative independence from Dorset County Council...
can clearly be seen, together with the stars reflecting on the sea.
Slightly further east is Keyhaven
Keyhaven
Keyhaven is a hamlet on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. It is a fishing village, but the trade has been in decline for a period of years and its main draw now is tourism, especially sailing.-Overview:...
, with its boatyard and bird sanctuary. Protruding southwards from Keyhaven is Hurst Spit, approximately two miles of shingle, from the end of which the inhabitants of Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle
Hurst Castle on the south coast of England is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts, built at the end of a long shingle barrier beach at the west end of the Solent to guard the approaches to Southampton. Hurst Castle was sited at the narrow entrance to the Solent where the ebb and flow of the tides...
used to watch over the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
. The castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
was built by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, and is now visitor oriented, with a museum, lighthouse
Hurst Point Lighthouse
Hurst Point Lighthouse is located in Hurst Point in the English county of Hampshire, and guides vessels through the western approaches to the Solent.Joseph Huddart supervised and directed the construction of the Hurst Point Lighthouse.-External links:...
and café. A seasonal ferry makes the trip across the marshes as an alternative to the blustery walk.
History
Milford began as a Saxon settlement, and the name simply means "mill ford". At the time of the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086 there were two separate estates in Milford, one held by Aelfric Small, and the other some unpopulated land held by Wulfgar. At a later date three separate manors were evolved from these estates and were eventually known by the names of Milford Montagu, Milford Barnes, and Milford Baddesley.
The manor of Milford Montagu, which was held of the lords of Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, seems to have originated in an estate held by William Spileman at his death in 1291. In the late 14th century it was part of the lands of William Montagu, 2nd Earl of Salisbury. In 1428 Thomas, the 4th Earl
Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury
Thomas Montacute, 4th Earl of Salisbury, 6th and 3rd Baron Montacute, 5th Baron Monthermer, and Count of Perche, KG was an English nobleman...
, died possessed of the manor, and was succeeded by his daughter Alice. By 1580 the manor had passed out of the hands of the Montagu family, and it was acquired in 1610 by Sir Thomas Gorges
Thomas Gorges
Thomas Gorges , an Elizabethan courtier and Groom of the Chamber to Queen Elizabeth I, a second cousin of Queen Anne Boleyn, the mother of Queen Elizabeth I all descendants of the first Howard Duke of Norfolk.His father was Sir Edward Gorges of Wraxall,and his mother one of Sir Edward's...
, who was succeeded by his son Sir Edward, Baron Gorges of Dundalk
Baron Gorges of Dundalk
Baron Gorges of Dundalk was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created on 13 July 1620 for Sir Edward Gorges, 1st Baronet. He had already been created a Baronet, of Langford in the County of Wiltshire, in the Baronetage of England on 25 November 1611...
. In 1638 he sold it to Edward Hopgood. At the end of the 18th century the manor was purchased by Admiral William Cornwallis
William Cornwallis
Admiral the Honourable Sir William Cornwallis GCB was a Royal Navy officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He was the brother of Charles Cornwallis, the 1st Marquess Cornwallis, governor-general of India...
.
The manor of Milford Barnes originally belonged to Christchurch Priory
Christchurch Priory
Christchurch Priory is an ecclesiastical parish and former priory church in Christchurch in the English county of Dorset .-Early history:...
. After the Dissolution
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
a twenty-one years' lease of "the site of the manor with the appurtenance
Appurtenance
Appurtenances is a term for what belongs to and goes with something else, with the appurtenance being less significant than what it belongs to. The word ultimately derives from Latin appertinere, "to appertain"....
s and all land and fisheries belonging, together with 20 acres in Shorefield," was in 1557 granted to John Wavell, and in 1574 a similar lease was granted to John Rowe. Sir Thomas Gorges owned the estate in 1611, and from that time its descent was the same as that of the manor of Milford Montagu.
The manor of Milford Baddesley originated in an estate held in Milford by the Knights Templar
Knights Templar in England
The history of the Knights Templar in England began when the French nobleman Hughes de Payens, the founder and Grand Master of the order of the Knights Templar, visited the country in 1118 to raise men and money for the Crusades.-History:...
. In the time of King John, Hugh de Whitwell and his son William granted land at Milford to William Mackerel which he granted to the Templars, for their preceptory of Baddesley
North Baddesley
North Baddesley is a large village and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It is situated 3 miles east of the town of Romsey and 6 miles north of Southampton. It occupies an area of approximately 9.15 square kilometres, and is home to a population of just over 10,000 people. It is located in the...
. It was held of Christchurch manor. On the suppression of the order of Knights Templar this estate was granted, about 1312 to the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
, to whom it continued to belong until the Dissolution
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
of 1540. It was acquired by Robert Rickman around 1609, in whose family it remained into the 18th century. In 1829 Mary Anna Theresa Whitby, who had inherited Admiral Cornwallis' estates purchased Milford Baddesley, thus uniting all three estates.
Newlands
Around 1800 Admiral William CornwallisWilliam Cornwallis
Admiral the Honourable Sir William Cornwallis GCB was a Royal Navy officer who fought in the Napoleonic Wars. He was the brother of Charles Cornwallis, the 1st Marquess Cornwallis, governor-general of India...
leased and later purchased the small Newlands estate in Milford. His purchases included the manors of Milford Montague and Milford Barnes. He was joined at Newlands by his close friend and fellow naval officer Captain John Whitby and John's wife Mary Anna Theresa Whitby. John Whitby died in 1806, but Mary and her infant daughter Theresa stayed on looking after Cornwallis into his old age. On William Cornwallis' death in 1819, Mary Whitby and her daughter inherited his fortune.
In 1829 Mary Whitby purchased Milford Baddesley, thus uniting all the estates in the area. Her daughter Theresa, who inherited the estates, married Frederick Richard West, and they used Newlands as one of their residences. Their son, born in 1835, bore the name of William Cornwallis-West
William Cornwallis-West
William Cornwallis Cornwallis-West VD JP , was a British politician.Born William Cornwallis West, he was the son of Frederick Richard West, son of the Hon. Frederick West, younger son of John West, 2nd Earl De La Warr. His mother was Theresa, daughter of John Whitby...
. He inherited Newlands in 1886, and attempted to convert Milford into a premier seaside resort, changing the name of the village to Milford-on-Sea. His plans included the construction of a pier, railway station, public baths, health spa, and golf course. The scheme failed primarily due to a lack of funds and market interest, but it gave Milford a layout and ordered development that lasted well into the 20th century. William's son George Cornwallis-West
George Cornwallis-West
George Frederick Myddleton Cornwallis-West was a British officer of the Scots Guards. He was the only son of Col. William Cornwallis-West and his wife Mary, née FitzPatrick . The family moved in aristocratic circles but did not have a great deal of wealth...
inherited Newlands in 1917 and sold it three years later.
Modern times
As recently as 1800 the parish of Milford was entirely inland, being separated from the sea by a narrow strip of coast-line which was an extension eastwards of HordleHordle
Hordle is a village and civil parish in the county of Hampshire, England. It is situated between the Solent coast and the New Forest, and is bordered by the towns of Lymington and New Milton. Like many New Forest parishes Hordle has no village centre...
parish. Coastal erosion, as well as growth of the village to the south and west, meant that by 1900 Milford bordered the sea. Milford was part of a combined Milford and Pennington
Pennington, Hampshire
Pennington is a village in Hampshire, England. It is situated in the town of Lymington, and is in the civil parish of Lymington and Pennington. The settlement is located in the southern part of the New Forest, near the shore of the Solent.-Overview:...
Parish Council after 1894, and then became a separate Milford Parish Council when Pennington was separated from it in 1911. However, in 1932 Milford was absorbed into an enlarged Lymington
Lymington
Lymington is a port on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is to the east of the South East Dorset conurbation, and faces Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight which is connected to it by a car ferry, operated by Wightlink. The town...
Borough, only reemerging as a separate parish in 1974.
With the advent of increasing car ownership, especially after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the village expanded rapidly as a resort and as a place in which to retire. Blocks of flats were constructed along the clifftop in the 1960s and 70s, and additional housing was built inland. Despite this, Milford still retains its character and unity as a village.
All Saints church
The oldest building in Milford is All SaintsAll Saints
All Saints' Day , often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on 1 November by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honour of all the saints, known and unknown...
church which is 12th/13th century in date. The earliest parts of the structure are probably Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
(early 12th century) work from a preceding church. A south aisle was added around 1170. In the 13th century the church was more than trebled in size and brought to its present plan. This work, which occurred in stages, included the north facade and tower, the chancel, and north and south chapels. The tower has a later, short recessed spire.
Events and festivals
Every year, Milford has the May DayMay Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
festival on the village green with the traditional Maypole
Maypole
A maypole is a tall wooden pole erected as a part of various European folk festivals, particularly on May Day, or Pentecost although in some countries it is instead erected at Midsummer...
dancing. In late June through to early July there is also the Music and Arts festival. It runs for about three days with local bands and drama from local schools, as well as stalls and craft workshops; It is perhaps, the most memorable event in Milford. In August, there is the Milford Carnival with a voluntary parade with floats and the procession of the Carnival Queen.
In February 2009 the Milford on Sea Food Week was launched to take place from Easter Bank Holiday Monday until the following Sunday in 2010. Milford on Sea Food Week is a community event celebrating all that is great about food. During Food Week the village will host dining events, cookery experiences & demonstrations, educational events & talks, competitions & a local food market. There are events for every age group & are run by various local businesses, clubs & organisations. The Food Week is organised by Milford on Sea Parish Council Tourism Group. It is anticipated that this will be an annual post Easter event in the village calenda
Parish Vision 2020
This Plan is a wide-ranging statement of community ambitions, based on sound research and extensive public consultation. It aims to retain the best of Milford-on-Sea, to improve many of our facilities, and to ensure the vibrancy of our village. It builds on the 2002 Village Design Statement which dealt essentially with land use issues.Strategic Objectives:
• Improving housing and employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
• Improving the provision of social, cultural and recreational facilities.
• Enhancing and protecting the natural environment.
• Maintaining and developing parish facilities for tourism and business opportunities.
• Improving transport links with hinterland communities.
• Making the village centre safer for pedestrians whilst protecting its special character.
Notable residents
- Christopher AirayChristopher AirayChristopher Airay was an English preacher and a pioneer in English logic.-Life:Airay was born at Clifton in Westmoreland in 1600/01. Anthony Wood states that he became a student in The Queen's College, Oxford and earned a Master of Arts. In 1627 he was elected fellow...
, logician, was vicar here in the 17th century, from about 1646. - William Morris, 1st Viscount NuffieldWilliam Morris, 1st Viscount NuffieldWilliam Richard Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield GBE, CH , known as Sir William Morris, Bt, between 1929 and 1934 and as The Lord Nuffield between 1934 and 1938, was a British motor manufacturer and philanthropist...
, philanthropist and industrialist, owned a house on the clifftop, No.1, Park Lane, which is now The Westover Hotel. - David PeachDavid PeachDavid Sidney Peach is a former footballer, who played at left back for Southampton in the FA Cup Final 1976.-Chelsea & Gillingham:...
(Gillingham, Southampton (FA Cup Final 1976), Swindon Town, Orient and England u/23 footballer). - Jeff Perrett, Professional Moto X rider, who was born, and still resides in the village.
- Frances FisherFrances FisherFrances Fisher is a British actress. She is known for her work on television, in theater and in films, including roles as Strawberry Alice, the madame prostitute in Unforgiven , and Ruth DeWitt Bukater, the mother of Kate Winslet's character in Titanic .- Early life and education :Fisher was born...
, Former partner of Clint EastwoodClint EastwoodClinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
, Hollywood actress who has appeared in films such as Titanic, was born in village.