out in the 16th century. Botleigh Grange was built in the 16th century on land that was formerly part of the Manor of Shamblehurst. The origin of the name Hedge End is uncertain, but it was in use by the beginning of the 18th century. There is an explicit reference to Hedge End in a Court Baron held at Botley Manor on 19 May 1735, concerning the tenancy of a cottage and garden at Hedge End. There is further reference to dating to 1764 concerning a £10 fine for taking in part of the common at Hedge End. Hedge End is also marked on a 1759 map of Southampton. The Enclosure Acts ended the system of open farming on common land. Such land was required to be fenced in and title-deeded. This allowed a number of farms to establish themselves in the Hedge End area during the late 18th and 19th centuries. Growing into a village The development of two new roads to serve the toll bridges at Northam and Woolston brought travellers closer to Hedge End. Northam road was opened in 1799, with a tollgate at Hedge End. In 1839, another new road was built to provide access to the Floating Bridge at Woolston. This new road cut through the centre of Botley Common, opening the way for further development. In modern Hedge End this is St. Johns Road. An Enclosure Act of 1863–1865 formally divided Botley Common into plots. Some plots were used for development, were for allotments and were assigned to the lord of the manor, William Warner to be used for a Recreation Ground. St. John's School was built in 1863, admitting its first 13 children on 18 January 1864. By 1885, the building had been enlarged twice. By 1888, the building was also used as a library. St. John's Church was consecrated on 15 July 1874 construction having started in 1873 to a design by John Colson. In February 1876, St. John's, Hedge End was constituted as a separate parish for ecclesiastical purposes. A sub-post office was established on 2 August 1894. Hedge End was constituted a civil parish at its inaugural meeting on 14 December 1894. In 1895, the parish took over responsibility for the recreation ground. The recreation ground between St John's Road and Bursledon Road is all that remains of Botley Common. In the late 19th Century, Hedge End, like many neighbouring