Hampshire.info

Romsey is a small town located on the River test with a long history. Its name is possible derived from a saxon name Rums Eg, i.e Rums area. The town's skyline is ominated by a Norman built abbey. Although the current building was built around 1120-1140, there were previous buildings on the same site, the first a saxon wooden structure that was razed to the ground during a Viking raid.

During the medieval period, Romsey was involved in the woolen industry and Sadler's Mill on the River Test dates back to the 16th century at least. With the industrial revolution, the cottage industry scale of Romsey could not compete with the larger factories of the North of England and so the industry declined in the area.

In addition to the Abbey, Romsey has a number of old buildings including King John's house, a Tudor cottage, so named as it was believed to be the hunting lodge of King John, although this is probably not the case.

The traditional square has a statue of Lord Palmerston, the 19th century Prime Minister who was born and lived in Broadlands, a large house on the outskirts of the town. Broadlands later became the home of Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the uncle of Prince Philip and the last Viceroy of India. Lord Mountbatten was later buried in the abbey after being killed by an IRA bomb.

Romsey is a picturesque town that attracts visitors and it has a nice selection of shops and other facilities for them.