The Village

‘A textbook example of a Victorian estate village.’ East Hampshire District Council Conservation Area Report, 1991

In 1865 Sir Roundell Palmer, MP (later created 1^st Earl of Selborne) bought land at Blackmoor. He then commissioned Alfred Waterhouse, one of the best known nineteenth-century architects, who was working on the Natural History Museum in Kensington at the time, to design an estate village. St Matthew’s Church, the vicarage, reading room, school room and nearby Church Cottages were all constructed before work finally began on Blackmoor House, where the family moved in September 1872. By 1882 the Victorian settlement was complete. A significant addition was the War Memorial Cloister designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1920 with plaques inscribed by Sir Charles Wheeler, later President of the Royal Academy.

St Matthew’s Church

St Matthew’s Church is in the heart of the village and also serves the town of Whitehill. It is built of local stone quarried near Selborne, the font and pulpit being of Purbeck marble. There are memorials of the Palmer family, including a delicately carved reredos which was installed in 1897 to mark the Diamond Jubilee. The original reredos was transferred to the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Oakhanger. The church has six bells and the bell tower with its spiral tower is a unique feature. The church is open during daylight hours.

Blackmoor Village Hall

The Victorian village hall, originally the school, is a Grade 2 listed building. Recently restored and improved with support from the Heritage and Charity Lottery Boards, local authorities and other organizations, it boasts one of the most spacious and well-equipped halls in the area, with disabled access and facilities, large kitchen and an enclosed grassed garden. Regular users include Blackmoor Badgers Nursery School, Blackmoor Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, and a badminton club. For information on hire of the hall, contact the Booking Secretary (01420 473102)

Blackmooor Estate  www.blackmoorestate.co.uk is now a large farming company, owned and directed by Sir Roundell Palmer's descendants.

Part of Blackmoor Estate, Blackmoor Nurseries  www.blackmoor.co.uk are one of the largest specialist fruit nurseries in England. Most produce is sold wholesale, but it has recently opened a popular online shop offering a wide selection of fruit trees, bushes and soft fruit to retail customers for home delivery.

St Matthew’s School

Officially opened 1962 St Matthew’s is a Church of England voluntary aided primary school with over 150 pupils. It has strong links with the parish church with the whole school participating in nine services over the course of a year.

The Estate Farm Shop, www.blackmoorestate.co.uk/farmshop.html  is open every day, Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm, and between October and March on Sunday 10am-4pm. Fresh apples, pears, plums, strawberries and raspberries grown on the Estate are available when in season. Also vegetables, gifts, cider, apple juice, cakes and pies are freshly made on site.L ight lunches and teas are available in the Coffee Shop which offers home made pies and cakes.
 

Blackmoor Apple Tasting