\n Cobbett is probably most famous for his book Rural Rides<\/em>, published in 1830, which reported on the condition of the rural poor in Hampshire and beyond. He was an incorrigible critic of the Government and its anti-poor policies via his own newspapers and speeches, and spent two years in Newgate prison as a result. He also fled to America at one point to avoid further incarceration.\n<\/p>\n \n \n Cobbett is probably Botley\u2019s most famous resident and if you are interested in our local history, including our local farms and countryside, Botley Farmer<\/em> is an excellent telling of Cobbett\u2019s local tale.\n<\/p>\n \n Botley Farmer \u2013 William Cobbett\u2019s Hampshire Years 1804 \u2013 1820,<\/em> David Chun, 2026.\n<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/bundellbros.co.uk\/kevansmiscellany\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/10\/word-image-2492-1.jpeg\")
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\n In 2009, David Chun, who has lived in both Botley and Curdridge, wrote The River Hamble \u2013 a history,<\/em> a fascinating account of our local river and its busy past. Now he has turned to his other great enthusiasm and written a book on the 18th\/ <\/sup>19th<\/sup> Century radical journalist William Cobbett and the years he and his family spent living in Botley. (A memorial to Cobbett can be found in Botley Square, near the Co-op).\n<\/p>\n
\n However, not only was Cobbett an incorrigible critic, he was also an imprudent borrower of money and buyer of land, at least during his years in Botley, as Chun\u2019s book makes clear. He first bought the imposing Botley House, which then stood between Church Lane and the river. He also bought Fairthorne Estate (this was before Fairthorne Manor existed), Hill Farm (now Sherecroft), Raglington and Lockhams Farm, and more besides. Unfortunately, most of his purchases were on borrowed money – and so were many of his erratic repayments. Chun goes into detail about Cobbett\u2019s finances and businesses but also describes his family life at Botley, his farming activities and his writing during this period. He also emphasizes Cobbett\u2019s great fondness for Botley and its surrounding countryside. Eventually Cobbett\u2019s indebtedness caught up with him and the mortgagee took possession of his house and land in Botley. Cobbett declared himself bankrupt, and moved away.\n<\/p>\n