Monument MPM1804 - Site of farmstead, Little Horsea Island

Farming took place on Little Horsea Island from at least the 17th century and buildings are marked on maps as early as c1665. A new farmhouse and outbuildings were constructed in c1805. The land was sold to the Admiralty in 1885 and Little Horsea was joined to Great Horsea to form Horsea Island. A torpedo testing range was constructed on Little Horsea Island in the 1880s, and the farmhouse was extended and used as the caretakers/storekeepers house. It was demolished post 1952.

Evidence of occupation/activity on Little Horsea Island is implied from at least the medieval period until the late-19th century. Documents in the collections of the Oglander family refer to the freeing of a serf on West Horsea in c1250 and the bequest of the land on 'West Horsy with all its appurtenances' by Gwydo de Horsy to his daughter Margery in 1310. [1]

Farming took place from at least the 17th century, when deeds relating to Little and Great Horsea recorded details of tenant farmers. [1] Buildings are marked in the south-west corner of the island on La Favelure's map of c1665, which records a 'Mr Ployden' as the owner/occupier of Little Horsea. [2]

In c1805 a single storey farmhouse was built, together with small outbuildings. The island consisted of 29 acres of farmland, 27 acres of marsh. The land was sold to the Admiralty in 1885. Little Horsea and Great Horsea (see MPM1802) were joined to form one island, 'Horsea Island', when a torpedo testing range and Naval Research Establishment was constructed in the 1880s. The island was joined to the mainland in the 1970s. [1]

After the torpedo range was constructed the farmhouse, known as 'The Cottage', was extended and used as the caretakers/storekeepers house [3]. The building was demolished sometime after 1952.

<1> Ripley, Basil, 1982, Horsea Island and The Royal Naval (Bibliographic reference). SPM410.

<2> La Favelure, c1600, Map of Portsmouth Haven, Portsea Island, Hayling Island, and adjoining country, drawn by La Favelure (Map). SPM404.

<3> Maritime Archaeology Trust, 2018, Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War: First World War Wireless Stations of the South Coast of England (Bibliographic reference). SPM582.