History of A337 - New Milton to Lymington

In 1922, Henry& Mary (Fawcett) Murray were living in Hoopers Hill which is in Angel Road close to the main Lymington road (A337).

In our local paper, our local historian, Nick Saunders, has published a series of articles about the history of the Lymington Road from New Milton to Lymington.

Nick has plotted changes since 1841 and the latest article describes points of early history after the road reaches Lower Ashley:

Lower Ashley

"...along the road the traveller would have come across Lower Ashley Farm which dates from the 18th century. Today it is called Ashley Manor Farm. This area was once ancient downland that had become enclosed and used for agricultural purposes. Recent acrhaeological surveys have suggested that the fields may have become home to some of the earliest dwellings in our area, with a "banjo enclosure" indicative of the iron age along with what might be a roundhouse, burial pits and a small barrow potentially identiied.

Field walking of the area has revealed a neolithic greenstone axe head, worked flint tools and a number of shards of Romano/British pottery along with a larger quantity of medieval pottery.

Just to the east of the junction with Lower Ashley Road, the Lymington Road of 1841 takes a ,large detour form the route of today. The old road went past what is today Hoopers Hill Farm and Hoopers Hill House to a T-junction with Angel Lane, and then out onto a portion of the modern road before taking a sharp left over the Danestream and across farmland into Downton. The tithe map records that the house was then called Ashley Hill House. Some of the farm buildings have Flemish Bond brickwork which was popular from the 17th century through to the mid-19th, which gives some clue as to the age of the properties in the area.

Ashley Clinton (see Footnote)

All of this area was part of the Ashley Clinton Estate which had been the home of General Sir Henry Clinton from 1800 onwards. Sir Henry had taken part in the Battke of Waterloo and his father had been a commander of British forces in the American War of independence. Their memorial plaues can be seen in St Mary Magdalene church in Milton.

A report by "Townsman" in this newspaper dated 31st August 1957 stated that the estae of about 1,200 acres was to be auctioined off, including the house and contents after the last surviving member of the Clinton family passed away. Eventually the uniforms were given to the National Army Museum in Chelsea. A university in the United States bought the Clinton family papers. (see Footnote)

The New Milton Advertiser reported almost monthly on the various motor vehicle crashes that took place in this location. The dog-leg bends proved too difficult for some heavy goods vehicle driveers, who started using Silver Street and the road through Milford village to avoid the trouble spot.

Eventually, in the early 1980s the road was realigned, making it much safer. Traces of the old road can still be seen at Hoopers Hill, with remnants of road markings and cats-eyes still visible. At the junction with Angel Lane, there is a milestone (Chrisrchurch 7 miles, Lymington 3 miles) visible in the shrubbery....."

Footnote

When researching Find the Lady! Mary Murray recorded in her Calling Book meeting with a Mrs Clinton.

When travelling on A337, the tower at the old Ashley Clinton House is still visible.

Article on Ashley Clinton

Colin Bower
26 September 2022