Historic Charm: Both villages are steeped in history, featuring beautiful period homes and landmarks like the Great Coxwell Barn, a 13th-century tithe barn owned by the National Trust.
Great Coxwell, as the name may indicate, is the slightly larger of the two villages which was originally in Berkshire up until a boundary change in 1974. The village resides in a small cul-de-sac on high ground known as the Midvale Ridge.
Many of the older properties in Great Coxwell were built of local Carillion limestone rubble with some 19th century brick built cottages and late 20th century housing. The small church of Saint Giles stands on the site of an earlier Saxon church. It's believed that parts of the present building date from the 12th century with the tower being an addition in the 14th century, houses Cotswold stone gargoyles. From the south side of the churchyard, you can see a distant view of the Uffington White Horse.
Of great local and historical interest is the Great Coxwell Barn which is now owned by the National Trust. Completed in the middle of the 13th century it is said to be the finest surviving mediaeval Barn in the country. Built of Cotswold stone, the barn is 152 feet long and supported by oak posts which sit on top of 22 feet high stone posts. Most of the original oak roof structure was replaced in the 19th century but the posts and the main trussells are original. The great barn and parts of the nearby coach house are all that remain of the original 13th century grange which once belonged to Beaulieu Abbey in Hampshire.
Situated just off the Fernham Road, Little Coxwell is also a small cul-de-sac village and surprisingly, is the location of the Hurlington Polo Association, the governing body for Polo in the UK.
The Cistercian monks of Beaulieu built the parish church of Saint Mary in the 12th century as a chapel of ease. Another popular place of worship is The Eagle Tavern which is situated right in the heart of the village and known for its excellent food and choice of locally sourced beverages.
Little Coxwell is also home to the Berners Allsopp Estate, famed for its unique herd of Coxwell Red Ruby Devon Cattle who get to enjoy a sizable part of the 500 acre farm.
