The History & Heritage

First recorded in the Domesday Book as “Middleton” or “Mildeltune”, Milton means “Middle Farm”, as it lay between nearby ‘tons’ such as Barton, Becton, Wootton, and Chewton. Over time, the name naturally shortened to Milton. Danes Park is located at the northern edge of Ashley, recorded in 1086 as Esselie or Aesc leah – Old English for “clearing in the ash wood”.

The area was first recorded in the Domesday Book as “Middleton” or “Mildeltune”. ‘Ton’ is a Saxon word meaning farm settlement. Milton lay between Barton, Becton, Wootton, and Chewton, making it the “Middle Ton” or “Middle Farm”. Over time, the name shortened to Milton. Danes Park sits at the northern edge of Ashley, noted in 1086 as Esselie or Aesc leah – Old English for “clearing in ash wood”.

Agricultural labourers in Milton Parish were fairly poor and often took on extra work, including smuggling, which was rife along the Hampshire and Dorset coast. In 1780, Milton’s Riding Officer was beaten to death by smugglers. In 1825, a clash at Naish saw 25-year-old James Read fatally wounded. Coastguard cottages in nearby Barton on Sea remain a reminder of the smuggling conflicts of the time.

In 1831, Milton had a population of 956, yet only 24 were eligible to vote, as voting required property ownership. This highlights the extent of local poverty. The first records for Danes Park appear in the 1841 Tithe Map and Apportionment Book, which detailed land ownership, use, name, size, and value – used to calculate payments due to support the local clergy and church.

New Milton Station opened in 1888, sparking rapid growth. By 1891, the population reached 1,670. The name “New Milton” came from the sub post office run by Emma Newhook, used to distinguish it from Milton Village. Mrs Mary Gunning-Sutton lived at Stanleys in 1881. A widow, she remained there with her granddaughter and servants. She died in 1900, and the house passed to her granddaughters, daughters of the 2nd Earl of Ravensworth.

In 1901, the estate was sold to Lady Harpur Crewe, who moved from the Isle of Wight with her family and staff, including head gardener Harry Jobling. His daughter Dorothy later shared memories of life at Stanleys (1901–1920), published by local historian Arthur Lloyd. Lady Harpur Crewe and her daughter Lillian funded St Andrew’s Church at Tiptoe, donating both land and money to the project.

After her son Hugo died in 1905, Lady Crewe and her daughter left Stanleys. Caretaker Harry Jobling and his family moved into the house until its sale in 1909 to Captain Matthew Vicars-Miles. In 1920, Captain Charles Yeldham bought Stanleys. It remained a private home as New Milton grew with new churches and services. By 1931, the town’s population had risen to 5,293.

World War II greatly impacted New Milton, as the town was bombed multiple times. Stanleys Estate was repurposed for the war effort, housing evacuees and contributing land for food production. In 1946, Stanleys Estate was sold at auction, though the mansion itself remains unsold.

The mansion later became a home for young men with learning difficulties. As New Milton grew, it developed into a suburban community with increased housing. 1970s: The town shifted from agriculture to industry and commerce. An industrial estate was built, the first major supermarket opened, and Stanleys became a nightclub. Its grounds were used for a caravan park, later replaced by mobile homes.

The nightclub closed and, over time, the house became a derelict shell. Meanwhile, New Milton continued to grow, with major changes to infrastructure. 1990s: In 1996, the town marked its centenary - 100 years since it was officially named New Milton – with a series of local events. The decade also saw continued development in shopping, housing, and local amenities, including the introduction of a weekly market.

The opening of the Town Hall in 2004 and the creation of the mayor’s office marked key moments in New Milton’s recent development, as housing and commercial growth continued. Present day: New Milton is a vibrant town with a rich past, blending rural roots with suburban living. With a population of over 25,700, it remains a thriving hub for shopping, leisure, and community life—proud of its heritage and looking to the future.