Four Marks. Origins of the name
Just four and a half miles south west from Alton lies the Parish of Four Marks. It was created in 1932 from parts of the six parishes of Medstead, Ropley, Chawton, East Tisted, Newton Vallence and Farringdon. It covers 1,499 acres and is one of the smallest parishes in East Hampshire. Due to excessive building in the recent past it is also one of the most densely populated. It's boundary to the north is the Watercress Railway line and as part of the central downland it is also the highest settlement in the district with views stretching to Hindhead, Winchester and Butser. The name appears on Ordnance Survey maps of 1897.
In bygone days:
Discoveries of a flint axe head and flint arrow head show signs of Stone Age activity in the area. A pure gold armilla and a bowl barrow construction outside of the settlement have been found. These indicate a Bronze Age settlement just outside the Parish. A Celtic track way passed through the village and evidence of Celtic farming has been found at Headmore Lane. The Pilgrim's Way, from Winchester to Canterbury, passes through the village, along Brislands Lane and Blackberry Lane. In the past few years the St Swithun's Way has been inaugurated through the southern part of the village to the east. This goes from Winchester to Farnham.
Because of it's elevated height, Four Marks was chosen by the Admiralty as the location for one of it's chain of Semaphore Stations on the uncompleted second line to Plymouth. This was important as a method of communication between the Admiralty in London and the ships at Portsmouth and Plymouth during and after the Napoleonic Wars. Four Marks was also chosen by the Ordnance Survey as a site for a triangulation point at Telegraph Lane. At 220metres above sea level, Four Marks took part in a chain of beacons to commemorate the anniversary of the Armada and HM the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.
The Watercress Railway line, formerly the London and Southampton Railway was a very busy line with passengers and freight. It was opened in 1868 as Medstead Station and closed in 1973. It had changed it's name to Medstead & Four Marks, and was used during the war to transport soldiers from Winchester to Waterloo. Coming up from Ropley and then down via Medstead station to Alton, was, and still is, known as going over the Alps. During the Second World War American troops were popular with local children, for the sweets and gum thrown from the carriages. Medstead & Four Marks station was re-opened in 1983, and the Watercress Line now runs from Alresford to Alton as a very popular tourist attraction.
In 1970 local people formed a society to reclaim Swelling Hill Pond, which has been in existence since at least the mid 19th Century and had become silted up. The restored pond occupies a secluded spot on high ground and provides a tranquil habitat for it's abundant wildlife, walkers and the Angling Society.