These are key features in the conservation area and the points relate to the numbered areas on the map:
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Built of flint and stone, St Mary’s Church (Grade I) is probably the most important Anglo-Saxon monument in Hampshire. The cruciform plan with smaller, lower transepts is particularly characteristic of early Christian churches.
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Breamore House (Grade II*) retains its late Elizabethan E‑plan despite a serious fire in 1856. The Park is included on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
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Upper Street and the cottages at the entrance to the Park illustrate the unique character of the village.
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The landscape and its management form a very important aspect of the Area. The Marsh — a Site of Special Scientific Interest — is an important surviving manorial green on which goose and cattle grazing persists. It supports a near‑unique group of aquatic and semi‑aquatic plants.
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The flood plain forms part of the Avon Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area, designated in 1993, with the aim of conserving and enhancing the landscape, wildlife and historic interest of the area. Its open, wet land is dominated by groups of willows alongside the ditches of the water‑meadow system.
History
Evidence of estate influence over the layout and appearance of the buildings.
Landscape / Townscape
Scattered groups of trees and cottages; narrow lanes with hedges on the higher land above the Marsh; parkland surrounding Breamore House; water meadows which retain visible evidence of traditional water management.
Buildings
Range and appearance of buildings include a large number of timber‑framed buildings (both cruck and box frames), with brick, thatch, clay tile and weatherboarding finishes. Variety of roofing materials and differing styles of cast‑iron rainwater goods.
Setting
Views across the Marsh and water meadows, and views to and from the surrounding landscape and the River Avon.
Archaeology
St Michael’s Priory — a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Evidence of shrunken medieval settlement survives in the area.
Potential for enhancement
Opportunities exist to conserve and enhance key features such as historic buildings, the parkland setting, water‑meadow management and former railway and estate-related sites.
