About Houghton Village

Houghton is a quintessential rural village in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, situated alongside the River Test. 

The village is a dispersed linear settlement, mostly strung out along the single road through the village, which broadly follows the course of the River Test.  Houghton is dominated by two large estates at either end of the Parish, which are the Houghton Lodge and Bossington Estates.  The majority of the Parish falls within a Conservation Area, originally designated in 1990.  Most recently during May 2017, the Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

A number of footpaths intersect in Houghton, including the Test Way and the Clarendon Way, which crosses the River Test by way of a footbridge known locally as 'Sheep Bridge' where an iconic view can be found.  Most of the fishing within and around the village is owned by either estate or the exclusive Houghton Club, founded in 1822, making it the oldest fishing club in England.

Houghton has a village pub, The Boot Inn, with a garden running down to the banks of the River Test.

The village also has a Village Hall, which is used for local functions, such as coffee mornings, an annual Harvest Supper, WI and are host to the Houghton Trail.   There is a recreation ground behind the hall, where there is a children's playground.

The village church is All Saints and a War Memorial stands centrally in the village to commemorate those who fought and lost lives in WWII.

Houghton Parish Council consists of 7 Councillors and a Parish Clerk.  The Council meet on a bi monthly basis at the Houghton Village Hall, usually on a Tuesday in January, March, May, July, September and November at 7.30pm.  All electors are invited to attend an Annual Parish Assembly which is usually held in April.  Click to view the Schedule of Meeting dates.