A NORTH Hampshire village has celebrated its history with the opening of a new trail and Magna Carta bench.

Councillor Anne Crampton, cabinet member for community wellbeing at Hart District Council, unveiled the bench in Hartley Wintney after taking part in a guided history tour led by historian Mary Bennett.

Cllr Crampton also paid tribute to Sue Hawkins, a member of the Hartley Wintney Preservation Society who died last month after a fall on a mountain in Wales.

The district council has produced a leaflet, in collaboration with the preservation society and Mrs Bennett, so that visitors to the village can appreciate its history.

The self-guided tour starts at Causeway Farm, taking in sights such as the village’s Mildmay Oaks, Phoenix Green and a Second World War pill box.

The Magna Carta bench, situated near Dilly Lane, contains an estimate of the route taken by King John 800 years ago on his journey from Odiham Castle to Runnymede.

It was there that he met the baronial leaders and sealed the Magna Carta, seen as an important framework for the relationship between the king and his subjects.

Cllr Crampton said: “The rich history told to us by Mary Bennett during the event has been more than interesting and I would like to thank her for all her efforts in making this trail truly special.

“The countryside services team at Hart wanted to share the rich heritage of Hartley Wintney with all of the community so I would also like to thank them for all the work they do to keep our open spaces and countryside beautiful.”