Ropley 038

Ropley 038

Hampshire and Dorset, across the channel from France, were by their very situation the greatest smuggling counties in England. It is believed that Ropley was generally a hot-bed of smuggling during the 1730-1830 period and was well placed because of its remoteness, to become the centre for the disposal of smuggled goods, mainly spices, but possibly also luxuries such as silk, brought from the south coast by cart or pack horse. Goods were stored in cottages and farms and in the extensive beech woods of Monkwood. “Smugglers” Cottage in Smugglers Lane, Ropley (Monkwood), photographed here in the early 1900’s is reputedly one such cottage.

  All images on this site © Godfrey Andrews ALRESFORD HERITAGE