Barton-on-Sea

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The History of Barton-on-Sea

The history of Barton can be traced back some 35 million years, to a period when crocodile type creatures roamed the area. This is confirmed by evidence unearthed by the constant erosion of the cliff face and analysed by geological scientists. Barton (Barton fossils) has given its name to fossil bearing clay and the fossils it contains, wherever they are found throughout the world.

Hunting, fishing and from time to time farming were the means of livelihood of our Germanic ancestors. One of their leaders gave his name to Beorma's Farm at Barton. Barton appears twice in the "Doomsday {Domesday} Book" as Bermintune and Burmintune and Barton is derived from these old English names, therefore it is a unique place name.

Rodger de Montgomery, later Earl of Shrewsbury, a great friend of William the Conqueror, (King William 1st of England} from his boyhood days, held both Barton manors in1086.

With the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 Mrs White's Barton Court Hotel became a rest home for British troops. Soon afterwards local people were amazed to see hundreds of Indian troops who were sent to convalesce in huts built along the sea front. In the centre of Barton sea-front stands an obelisk commemorating their stay, under the care of army doctors Chaytor-White and Mawson. This was erected in 1917 when the war in Europe was still at its height.

Until the installation of cattle grids on all exit roads from the forest in the early 1960’s, it was quite a common site to see New Forest ponies and cattle grazing on the cliff top.

Due to coastal erosion caused by the sea whipped up by the south-westerly gales, compounded with the constant water seepage originating from the New Forest and local surface water resulting from higher density housing development much of the former Barton Court has now disappeared over the cliff, or had to be demolished for safety reasons. Additional coastline strengthening started in the late 1960’s and is continuing today with some success against sea erosion. Since then considerable sums have been spent on the toe and beach line, this has included piling and Dorset stone brought in to providing “strong points”. An advertisement in the official guide published in the early 1900’srefers to a 100 metre wide promenade at Barton on Sea. Today it is around 20 metres at its furthest points.

Today’s cliff slip problems are almost entirely due to inland water seepage. Unfortunately the cliff face continues to move at an alarming rate.

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