Introduction

Harding's Farm was previously in Sutton Benger parish but is now in Seagry. It was known as 'New Farm' in 1808 when it was let to Robert Harding. By 1839 / 1841 it had been subsumed by John Lanfear's Church Farm. At various times it has also been known as 'Heath Farm' and 'Hardinge' and 'Harden's Farm' - creating some confusion with the Harden's Farm in Chippenham, to the north of Pewsham.

(In fact, to add to the confusion, Harden's Farm in Chippenham was tenanted by farmers with connections to Sutton Benger: the Uncles family, who continued to attend All Saints' Church while living in Chippenham.)

1773 - 1925

The farm was created between 1773 and 1808. Robert Harding is shown in the 1808 Survey as the tenant / occupier of 'New Farm', with over 20 plots of land in Sutton Benger parish, plus several plots in Draycot parish.

In 1840 John Lanfear was the tenant at both Church Farm and New Farm. He had a large number of plots, including both 'New Farm Homestead', and 'Church Farmhouse'; he was using the latter as his own 'homestead'. The 1841 Census shows Isaac Harding, aged 65, possibly a son of Robert, living at 'Heath Farm, Sutton'. The 1851 Census has John Lanfear at 'Lanfear's Farm' and John Hitchcock at Heath Farm.

1872

The 1872 Survey shows Charles Rich at 'The Manor and Harding's Farm' and shows that his landholdings included 'New Farm Homestead' as well as Manor Farmhouse. The detailed records, together with later amendments, show that Rich's farm grew even bigger, as he subsumed land from other farms in both Sutton Benger and Draycot Cerne.

1870s - 1900

After 1872 there is no explicit reference to Harding's Farm in the records, although there is an isolated entry in the 1891 Census for Charles Hendon, an agricultural labourer, living at 'Hardens Farm' in Sutton Benger.

It seems likely that the farm was still being managed as part of Manor Farm.

1902

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre records have proposals for 'proposed additions to Harding's Farm, in Sutton Benger' dating from 1902.

1911 Census

The 1911 census is the first detailed re-appearance of Harding's Farm, when it is shown as the home of Louis Joseph Carnley, an 'Estate agent'. This is not the modern meaning, but the Bailiff or 'Land Agent' for the Draycot Estate. In fact, Mr Carnley appears in a number of records around 1900 - 1920; at one stage he was also living at Southsea Farm, near Draycot Cerne.

1920 Draycot Auction

Harding's Farm was Lot 133 in the 1920 Auction of the Draycot Estate.

The School

Harding's Farm was a preparatory school for boys in the 1930s.

Arthur Angus, 1927 - 1935

In the 1927 Kelly's, under the 'Private Residents' section, there is an entry for 'Arthur R Angus, Harding's Farm'.

In the 1935 Kelly's there are entries in the section for 'Private Residents' for both Arthur R Angus and Robert William Angus, both at 'Hardinge'. In addition, the 'Commercial' section shows Robert William Angus at 'Hardinge Preparatory School for boys'.

The school was obviously not very successful, and lasted for only a few years. It had certainly closed by 1939.

Post - 1945

The WSHC has details for various planning applications, for example the 'Adaptation of existing building for living accommodation for Dairy Cowman and his wife' at Harding's Farm, dating from April / May 1945, submitted by Col D G Williams.

Harding's Farm, along with all of Sutton Benger north of the M4, became part of Seagry Parish after the M4 was opened in 1971.

Listed Buildings

Harding's Farmhouse is a Grade II listed Building. The listing is as follows:

... later C18, rubble stone with stone slate hipped roof. Two storeys and attic, square plan with cyma-moulded flush mullion windows. South front has two hipped dormers, two 3-light windows each floor and off-centre door in ashlar porch with cornice. West side has large ashlar stack on ridge and attached single storey Bridgwater-tiled range, hipped at west end. North front has two dormers and two 3-light windows each floor. Added C19 east wing with ridge stack and south eaves stack. Sashes and mullion windows.

The Barn at Harding's Farm is also a Grade II listed Building. The listing is as follows:

... barn and stable range, C18, rubble stone with half-hipped stone slate roof. East side timber-lintel cart entry. Stable door to left with flanking windows and loft door over. Five-bay interior, north three bays are barn. Double purlin roof with tie-beam-and-collar trusses. South end lower addition with half-hipped south gable.

Agricultural & Countryside

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