The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Fordingbridge

​He was of Scottish descent, related to the Earls of Dunfermline, and his family had connections to the West Indies (his grandfather, Vice-Admiral James Seton, was a governor of St Vincent). ​He was a wealthy man who did not need to work, thanks to inherited money. ​He briefly served as a cavalry officer, attaining the rank of cornet, but his short military career ended years before the duel. He is sometimes styled "Captain Seton" in histories of the event.

The Cause of the Duel: The duel was fought over a point of honor following a public altercation. Seton had been pursuing Isabella Hawkey, the wife of Lieutenant Hawkey, and was subsequently insulted and physically attacked (kicked) by Hawkey at a ball. Seton then issued the formal challenge. ​Background: ​Born around 1816 in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. ​The son of Colonel James Seton and Margaret Findlater.

James Alexander Seton (c. 1816 – 2 June 1845) is primarily known for being the last British person killed in a duel on English soil. ​Here are some key details about him: ​Death in a Duel: Seton was fatally wounded in a duel against Lieutenant Henry Hawkey of the Royal Marines on May 20, 1845, near Gosport, Hampshire. He died from an infected gunshot wound on June 2, 1845.

The "Fordingbridge Bridge," known as the Great Bridge, is a historic seven-arched medieval stone bridge in the town of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England, over the River Avon. While the current structure dates from various periods, including significant 19th-century widening, the original medieval bridge was built before 1252. It remains a prominent landmark, with views of the bridge best enjoyed from the nearby park or The George pub.  

The "Fordingbridge Bridge," known as the Great Bridge, is a historic seven-arched medieval stone bridge in the town of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England, over the River Avon. While the current structure dates from various periods, including significant 19th-century widening, the original medieval bridge was built before 1252. It remains a prominent landmark, with views of the bridge best enjoyed from the nearby park or The George pub.

Go inside and look at the mural.

A great place to stop for a picnic lunch or a rest. Cafe open on some days.

Look on the other side of the road from these road signs. The house opposite was the home of Mr Shepherd and his family, owner of the Stuckton Iron Works. The works here started in 1790 by Thomas Sheppard (junior). In 1788 Tomas rented a 'dwelling with workshop' on a small parcel of land and moved here in 1790 to start producing agricultural machinery. The Sheppards owned and ran an iron works here for three generations. The business developed and grew, supplying castings for agricultural implements and grain milling equipment, making threshing machines, and were pioneers in the early steam engines. In 1830, the foundry was targeted and badly damaged by anti-machinery rioters during widespread machine wrecking 'Swing Riots' by agricultural workers. Visit the Historic Routes Stuckton Iron Works trail web page for more details and an account of the riot. In 1872, George Sheppard sold the business and the Stuckton site to Munden and Armfield of Ringwood, later to become J. J. Armfield & Co. The foundry business in Stuckton formally closed in 1908, but continued in use as Armfield Agricultural Engineering Company into the 1950s and eventually closed c.1992. The now derelict buildings of the old works still stand, with their future unclear. The Sheppard name can still be found on old mill equipment across the country. And, in Fordinbridge, on Church Street beside Timbermill Court, you can still find an item made at the Stuckton Iron Works marked with SHEPPARD AND INGRAM, a decorative 'gas pillar' (lamppost) installed in 1866.