Colden Common

The Parish of Colden Common was formed in 1843 from parts of Twyford and Owslebury Parishes. Holy Trinity Church was built in 1844 and is situated on the parish boundary.

In the sixteenth century the hamlet of Brambridge, then in Owslebury Parish, was granted by Bishop Fox to the newly-founded Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In 1609-10 Brambridge was granted to John Pierson, together with lands belonging to three recusants, Ursula Uvedale, Richard Bruning and Thomas Welles. Gilbert Welles was granted Brambridge by Charles I in 1636 and the property remained in the Welles family until the late eighteenth century, when it passed to a cousin, Walter Smythe.

Walter Smythe's eldest daughter Maria became Mrs. Fitzherbert, and spent her childhood at Brambridge House. Maria is said to have lived for a while in a cottage at Colden Common when her first husband, Edward Weld, died. One of the rooms in the old Brambridge House was consecrated as a Roman Catholic chapel, but after the Catholic Relief Act a small chapel was built in the village and endowed by Mrs. Fitzherbert in about 1782.

Further information on attractions to discover in the area and other interesting villages to visit is available.  For information on public services for Colden Common please take a look at the Colden Common Parish Council website or the Winchester local pages.