Southwick

Southwick is a tiny village 30 mins from Gosport. We went there because our friend Andy told us it was pretty and the only one village shop sold terrific pasties. So, off we drove not really expecting what we found.
Southwick, which was first mentioned early in the 12th century would appear to have grown from a farm into a small village which is renown for one or two interesting events: Henry VI married Margaret of Anjou here in 1445, King Charles I used to visit here and the present Southwick House was built here in 1841 after the first Southwick House was demolished at the beginning of the 19th century and the second one burnt down in 1838.
We went to buy a pasty from the Village shop but they weren't ready, so we thought we'd have a look in the parish church to fill in some time.

 











There was a display inside telling the story of D-Day and how Southwick House had been commissioned by the British Navy and the story of how Eisenhower had planned, and in June 1944, at Southwick House, made the decision to invade Normandy.
The Battle of Normandy resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany's control. The invasion was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history and required extensive planning and it all happened here. Eisenhower and his mates used to drink in the Golden Lion which because it had its own brewery out the back, never ran out of beer!
Amazing.....

Because the village is so old the varied architecture is noticeable......

In the end, we did get our pasties and they were good. We had a chat with the fellow who baked them, not a baker, but a man whom, with his wife and child made a life style change. With social media and Facebook this place is making a killing. He entered an International Pasty Competition at the Eden Project and won 3rd prize. That is 3rd best pasty maker in the world!

Amazing.....again