| Amport | |
|---|---|
| | |
Location within Hampshire | |
| Population | 1,189 (2011 Census) [1] |
| OS grid reference | SU 30501 44359 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ANDOVER |
| Postcode district | SP11 |
| Dialling code | 01264 |
| Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | South Central |
Amport is a village and civil parish in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England, a few miles west of Andover. It incorporates the small hamlet of East Cholderton and has a population of about 1,200.
There is a village green is surrounded by thatched cottages. The village lies in the valley of the Pillhill Brook, a tributary of the River Anton and thence the River Test, [2] a chalk stream famous for its trout-fishing, and for those who enjoy a country walk, there are many attractive routes.
Amport House on the outskirts of the village, which is now occupied by the tri-service chaplains’ school, was originally home to the Marquesses of Winchester; it has gardens designed by celebrated architect, Edwin Lutyens and laid out by Gertrude Jekyll. The House currently houses The Museum of Army Chaplaincy.
Amport's greatest attraction, however, is the world-renowned Hawk Conservancy Trust, where skilled falconers daily fly a wide variety of hawks, owls and eagles, including two American bald eagles.
The church, St Mary's, which was built in the fourteenth century, has a peal of six bells which are rung regularly. There is a church school, founded by a lady benefactor, Mrs Sophia Sheppard, the widow of Rev. Thomas Sheppard, in the early nineteenth century. [3]
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