10 Things You Didn't Know About Eversley

From Rugby champions to famous literary icons, this village in Hampshire’s Hart district is full of surprises

- Faith Eckersall

1 A BIT ABOUT EVERSLEY

Believe it or not, Eversley, 12 miles north-east of Basingstoke, actually means ‘Wild Boar Clearing’ and despite being a boar-free zone today, the creature still appears as a proud symbol on the village sign. The parish encompasses a number of hamlets including Eversley Cross, Eversley village (sometimes referred to as Eversley Street) and the charmingly-named Up Green and Lower Common.

2 THE WATER BABIES

Ten metres from the entrance gate in St Mary’s Church is the burial place of Charles Kingsley, chaplain to Queen Victoria and writer of the famous children’s story The Water Babies. The moral tale of a young chimney sweep showcased Kingsley’s Christian socialist beliefs and sold in its tens of thousands. Eversley’s famous son and rector of 35 years is remembered everywhere, particularly in the name of the village school he founded.

3 FAMOUS DWELLERS