Stockbridge, Hampshire

Description
Stockbridge, a small town and a parish in Hants. The town stands on the river Test, with a station on the L. & S.W.R., 7 miles S of Andover, and 72 from London. It has a post, money order, and telegraph office. Acreage, 1324; population, 879. There is a parish council consisting of ten members. It was the place where the Empress Maud was overtaken by Stephen's soldiers after her escape from Winchester Castle; sent two members to parliament from the time of Elizabeth till disfranchised by the Reform Act of 1832; consists of one long street, and has hotels, a town-hall, a police station, a workhouse, two training establishments for race-horses, races near Danebury Hill in June or July, and a sheep fair on 10 July. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Winchester; net value, £160. The church is a building of flint in the Early and Decorated styles, and contains some handsome stained windows and a peal of six bells. There are Congregational, Primitive Methodist, and Baptist chapels. The river Test is celebrated for the excellence of its fishing.