Historic Knowle Information Boards
Welcome to the Historic Knowle Information Boards
You can discover a wealth of information about historic Knowle through a series of five Historic Knowle Information Boards located at key points around the village.
Each board can be viewed individually, in any order, and visitors are welcome to explore as many or as few as they wish.
Information can be accessed either via our website or while walking around Knowle using a QR (Quick Response) code reader on your smartphone.
QR readers can be downloaded free from your app store. Simply scan the code with your device’s camera to be automatically directed to the website.
A Window into the Past
Each board shares part of Knowle’s story, from Roman and medieval times through to the establishment of the Hampshire County Lunatic Asylum. Opened in 1852, the institution cared for many patients until its closure in 1986. It was also a working and living community of staff, patients, and estate workers, and many of the Victorian buildings remain at the heart of the village today.
Board Locations
The five Historic Knowle information boards are located around the village, as shown on the map below. Each board highlights a different aspect of this remarkable place and can be explored independently.
Historical Context
Please note: In the 19th century, specialised institutions were built to care for people with mental illness, based on the medical understanding of the time. Some historical terms and descriptions you may see reflect the language used during that period.
Research Credit
These information boards are based on research and design by Jane Painter of the Wickham History Society, drawing on archival sources, historical records, newspapers, and studies of Victorian asylums.
The project was commissioned and funded by the Parish Council as a joint initiative with the Society. We are very grateful to the Parish Council for their support in helping to make Knowle’s history accessible to the community.
