Farther Common (also referred to as Farther Commons) is a geographical region of East Hampshire in the Parish of Liss, Hampshire, England. It is characterised by greensand topography, woodland and heath, which was historically a common on the Money-Coutts estate centred at Stodham House, Liss. The name of this common land is in fact "Farther Commons," as can be verified by reference to the Ordnance Survey map of the area.
Pre-history
A Bronze Age ring barrow is located at Saxonwood House and Peacewood within the area.
History
Development plots of land were sold off in parcels in the early part of the 20th century, served by two lanes that remain in use. Some of the plots are situated on steep parts of the greensand ridge. The original houses on both the north and south lanes of the Common were cedar houses, often now much altered. Additional plots were sold off in parcels of an acre or more from earlier plots, and houses were built during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Geography
Farther Common is bounded to the east by Bones Bottom, to the west by Gravel Pit Bottom, to the north by Stodham Lane, and to the south by the North track.
Buildings
- Stodham House was used as a Special Training School (STS 3) of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during World War II, particularly for the training of Norwegian saboteurs.
- The Far House on the South Lane is a modernist, 1960s wooden house built by writer and former intelligence officer Selwyn Jepson.
- Ponticum on the North Lane is a 1960s modernist house overlooking the Chalk Hangars.
- Other houses include Fernhill (from the 1970s) and former properties such as Woodley House and West Gables.
Notable People
- Money-Coutts family — part of the famous banking family, owners of Coutts & Co, London.
- Monica Storrs — known as "God's Galloping Girl" of Peace Wood.
- Henryk Zygalski — one of three Polish mathematicians and cryptologists credited with breaking the Enigma code in the 1930s. He lived with his partner, Mrs. B. Blofield, in Greenwood (now known as Saxonwood House), Farther Common, during his time operating for the Allies.
- Selwyn Jepson — author and intelligence officer (recruiting officer for F Section SOE) in World War II.
