The oldest evidence of human activity in the village dates to the Neolithic: several axeheads and arrowheads have been found in the vicinity of Lower Farringdon.

The bishopric of Exeter continued to hold lands and property in the village until 1797, when the advowson (patronage) to the church was given to the rector.

[3] The village has a Norman church with excellently preserved medieval encaustic tiles and a number of pre-18th century houses.

The evidence that survives is in two parts: the first found formal map of a local ridge enclosure, worn around the edges with damp marks, but listing all the recipients and placing their allotments; and five handwritten early agreement drafts with multiple gaps, insertions, crossings out, corrections and spelling inconsistences in proper nouns; these have been badly treated with tears and staining.

Thoughts go back to the ragtag collection of scruffy copies at the Hampshire Record Office that hold the written form of the agreement, without ‘hands’, signatures, marks or seals.

[5] Could it be the fast-moving landowners, with all their experience of previous enclosures, quickly made the assessors’ decisions a reality and negated a signed document?

Supporting this view is the second remarkable aspect of the Farringdon enclosure: the 427 acres (173 ha) were divided between fifty-three entities, almost all individuals.

The story concerning it is as follows:– Once upon a time there was a wedding, and the terrible mistake (as it turned out) was made of not inviting the Fairies of the neighbourhood to the festivities.

Farringdon has associations with two of Britain's celebrated figures: the novelist Jane Austen (1775–1817) and the naturalist Gilbert White (1720–1793).

[13] There are ancient and listed buildings in Farringdon, including what may be the oldest working forge in Britain, with elements dating from the 1500s.

[14] Interestingly during works on the forge during the 2000s an 18th Century coin was found in the Eastern Wall suggesting it was heavily rebuilt at that time.

The forge still produces modest ironwork like benches, pergolas and farm gates, whilst also furnishing complex items like curved metal bannisters and exterior railings for clients such as Eton College and the Church of England.

Its intended purpose when built was obscure, but since a few years after Massey's death in 1919 it has served as a school and village hall.

[15] The first Cadbury Milk Tray advert was filmed in Lower Farringdon, by Woodside Road, along the old Meon Valley Railway.