History

  • 1086 - The Domesday Book - Sway is listed as four separate hides, two of which were owned by Earl Roger of Shrewsbury, one by Edmund son of Payne and the other by Romsey Abbey. A total of thirteen households are listed and the land is recorded as a mixture of plough land and meadow.
  • 12th century - two hides are acquired by Quarr Abbey.
  • 13th century - one hide was acquired by Christchurch Priory.
  • 14th century - further land is granted to Christchurch Priory.
  • 1543 - Following the dissolution of the monasteries, land owned by Quarr Abbey and Christchurch Priory was granted to Sir John Williams and became known as the Manor of Sway Quarr. The land owned by Romsey Abbey also passed to Sir John Williams and became known as the Manor of Sway Romsey (South Sway)
  • 1627 - The Manors were sold to John Button, who is subsequently recorded as Lord of the Manor of Sway. By the end of the 17th century the Manor of Sway passed to Edmund Dummer and finally through inheritance into the Bond Family who held it until the 19th century.
  • 1839 - St Lukes Church is built.
  • 1841 - The ecclesiastical Parish of Sway is created.
  • 1879 - the Civil Parish of Sway was formed when 2,208 acres of land were transferred from the Parish of Boldre.
  • 1885 - Sway Tower (Peterson's Folly) is completed. At the time of construction, it was the tallest concrete structure in the world at 218 feet.
  • 1886 - The station house is built, but due to financial and engineering problems, the railway didn't arrive until 1888.
  • 1898 - Forest Heath Hotel opens.
  • 1921 - Herbert Moser bequeaths the land for Sway Working Mens Club.
  • 1933 - Reverend Watkins makes a donation towards Sway Working Mens Clubs first billiards table.
  • 1940 - An Emergency Landing Ground for RAF Christchurch is operational but abandoned following several attacks by the Luftwaffe.
  • 1954 - Women are allowed in to Sway Working Mens Club for the first time, though only on darts nights.
  • 1970 - The first floor music room and skittle alley is added to Sway Working Mens Club.
  • 2009 - Forest Heath Hotel closes.
  • 2011 - Sway Deli opens
  • 2012 - Silver Hind opens