Brief History

The manor of Sherfield on Loddon is not mentioned in the Domesday Survey because at that time (1086) it formed part of the manor of Odiham. In the late twelfth century it was granted by Henry II to his marshal, William Fitz Aldelin; from him the property passed to the Warbertons or Warblingtons and thence in 1274 to John de Wintershill. The Warblingtons once again held the manor in 1281 and it passed by marriage to the Puttenhams. One of the Puttenhams was the author of the first attempted philosophical criticism of English literature, "The Arte of English Poesie" published anonymously in 1589. In 1572 the manor was divided and sold in two lots, both of which changed hands frequently after this date. In 1838 the estate was purchased by the Duke of Wellington.

The Church of St. Leonard dates from the fourteenth century although the chancel was rebuilt in 1866 and the steeple in 1872. The only vestiges of the former church are some mediaeval windows containing fourteenth and sixteenth century stained glass. It is said that Oliver Cromwell gave to St. Leonard's Church the bells which survived uncracked from the siege of Basing House. 

The parish contains several properties which bears traces of moats, due perhaps to the abundance of water provided by the tributaries of the River Loddon.

The Loddon itself is immortalised in the poetry of Alexander pope.

...The Loddon slow, with verdant alders crown'd

The 650 year old watermill has a visitors centre where, from time to time, the general public can witness demonstrations of flour milling.

The Green is the jewel in the village’s crown. Since the early 1970s, when the village gained management rights, the Green has developed and been carefully maintained by volunteers, for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. Many enjoy strolling through the open spaces, or feeding the ducks at the ponds by the southern entrance to the village.

For the more energetic, it boasts a cricket green, football pitches (for adult and junior clubs) two tennis courts, a BMX track and a fenced playground area. To the east of the Green is a large allotment area, again giving pleasure (and hopefully plenty of produce) to many.

The Village Hall and smaller Liddell Hall are almost constantly in use by villagers and outside organisations. Built in 1869, originally as a row of six cottages known as Pleasant Row, the grand old building can be found in the heart of the village, close to the Shop, Post Office, Garage, Estate Agents and two pubs. A little more history of the Village Hall can be found here.

The avenue of Horse Chestnut trees along the Bramley Road replaced the Lime trees which were damaged soon after they were planted to commemorate Edward VII's Coronation in 1901. 

History courtesy of Hantsweb