Harpsden, Oxfordshire

Description
Harpsden, a village and a parish in the county and diocese of Oxford, 1 mile from Henley station on the G.W.E. Post town and money order and telegraph office, Henley-on-Thames. Acreage, 2021; population, 244. The manor belonged formerly to the Harpsdens, and passed from them to the Fosters and Halls, and it now belongs to the Hodges of Bolney Court on the Thames. This was formerly a country house belonging to the Abbey of Westminster, with chapel and graveyard attached, but no part of the old buildings now remains. The manor-house, Harpsden Court, adjoining the church, though much diminished in size, is still of considerable extent, and contains some good panelled rooms; it dates from three or four centuries back. The living is a rectory in the gift of All Souls' College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St Margaret, is of flint and stone, and dates from the 12th century; it has a Norman font and doorway, besides a crusader's tomb and some good brasses; the tower, N aisle, and vestry were added in 1848-54, when the nave was also lengthened.