IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Longstock, STOCKBRIDGE, SO20 6EA

The Test Valley village has a good number of attractive thatched cottages.

On the east side of the village street, north of Charity Farm House, at the edge of the flood-plain of the River Test. The barn is Grade II listed, the listing text suggesting a 17th or 18th century date http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-140208-barn-10-metres-north-of-charity-farm-hou. Many similar buildings survive across the southern counties, but most have had their original thatch replaced by tiles or slates. See, for instance: Image (on the Grain peninsula, North Kent) or Image (near Winchester).

This rambling old farmhouse, now disused, stands on the east side of the main village street. Beyond it in this shot is an impressive thatched barn, no doubt much older than the farmhouse itself. Both farmhouse and barn are part of the Leckford Estate, managed by Waitrose/ The John Lewis Partnership.

This is no longer a working farm, but served until recently as part of the accommodation of the Leckford Estate. Its location is interesting: not an isolated farmstead, but in the main village street (which runs north-south, along the valley of the River Test). From its external appearance it would be hard to guess at the building's history, but the Listing Text (Grade II) suggests it has 17th century origins, with perhaps an old timber-framed core http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-140207-charity-farm-house-longstock.

C17, refenestrated C19. Possibly timber-frame core, early chequer brickwork, old plain tile roof. 2 storey, 5 bay including chimney bay and passage bay, wings to rear of right and centre bays that to centre C17, that to right C18. C18 6-panel half-glazed door in solid frame and flat hood on 2 posts. End bays have 2-light casement, centre bay has 3-light, all with stucco hood moulds. 1st floor string course. On 1st floor except to chimney bay 2-light casements. Large stack above chimney bay. (Source:Historic England)

One of many old cottages to be found in Longstock.

Eye-catching thatched cottage in the Test Valley village of Longstock.

Looking south along the village street from near its northern end. The timber-framed thatched cottages seen here serve as tied accommodation for the Leckford Estate, which is farmed by the John Lewis Partnership/ Waitrose. The building in the distance, with its thatched roof sweeping down to within a few feet of the ground, is an old barn at Charity Farm Image