Baughurst is a village and civil parish in Hampshire, England. It is located west of the town of Tadley, north of Basingstoke. In the 2001 census, it had a population of 2,473. Portway, the Roman road between London (Londinium) and Dorchester (Durnovaria) via nearby Silchester (Calleva Atrebatum), ran through the parish. The recorded history of Baughurst traces to Anglo Saxon Britain. During the late 13th century, a number of tithings within Baughurst were held by the Coudray family on behalf of Edward I. One of the RAF base's hangars, located at Baughurst Plantation, was used to assemble Spitfires. "Baughurst" may either refer to the wood inhabited by a Saxon named Beagga, or by badgers; "wood of the badgers".

A number of alternative spellings of Baughurst have been recorded, including Bagganhyrst (11th century), Baggehurst (12th century), Bagehurst (15th century), Baugust (18th century), and Baghurst (19th century).

Geography

Baughurst is in area,

The tithings of Ham and Inhurst are within the parish; they were first recorded in 1298.

Geology

Baughurst is situated on a natural ridge between Silchester and Brimpton Common. The ridge, which is situated towards the north of the parish, is approximately above sea level. Historically, much of the land in the parish was heathland used to grow birch trees, which were taken to Tadley to manufacture the brooms. It was used for the storage of Spitfire aircraft parts during 1943–1945, which were assembled at the neighbouring RAF Aldermaston.

Education

thumb|The Hurst School

The Hurst School is in the village, and provides secondary education for students between the ages of 11 and 16. It is the main secondary school in the Tadley area. Aside from one independent school, the parish's primary education is in nearby Tadley. The bell tower houses five bells, all of which were cast by Thomas Swaine in 1775. in 1845 on the site of an earlier (possibly 12th century) chapel, AFC Aldermaston train and play at the Atomic Weapons Establishment on the Baughurst-Tadley border.

Footnotes

References

  • Baughurst community website
  • Baughurst Parish Council website