Stories about the first Ampfield Vicarage
St. Marks Church, A3090, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9BU
Ampfield Vicarage and the vicars and their families who lived there 1841-1968.
The story of Ampfield’s first eleven vicars and their families, focusing on the vicarage house they
lived in until it was sold in 1968.
* The earliest vicars were members of the local gentry and the first vicar’s wife described the ten-
roomed house which accommodated 4 live-in servants as ‘a small cottage’.
* Two sons of the 2nd vicar cycled around Europe on penny-farthing bicycles.
* Learn of terrible tragedies in the lives of some of the early vicars.
* Hear about the train layout in the vicarage garden enjoyed by the Awdry family and inspiring
young Wilbert Awdry’s lifelong passion for trains and his later Thomas the Tank Engine books.
* In contrast learn about the vicar who antagonised everyone and all but emptied the church. He
blocked doors and windows of the vicarage and locked his churchwarden in the study.
* Learn about vicarage life during World War Two and how there were sometimes ten extra people
sheltering in the house.
* One vicar’s wife ran a nursery school in the vicarage.
Timings
- Saturday 19 September:
- 14.30-15.30
Location & directions
St. Marks Church, A3090, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9BU
- Contact on day:
- Sally Kerson
- Telephone number:
- +442380737617
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- Winchester Heritage Open Days
- Booking contact name:
- Hampshire History Trust
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hampshire-history-trust
- Booking opens:
- 09 Aug 2026 09:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 18 Sep 2026 03:00 PM
Additional information
- Max number of people:
- 80
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
