LETCOMBE-REGIS, a village, a township, and a parish, in Wantage district, Berks. The village stands on a branch of the river Ock, 1½ mile SW of Wantage, and 3½ SE by S of Challow r. station; and has a postal pillar-box under Wantage. The township includes the village, and extends much beyond it. Real property, £3,512. Pop., 431. Houses, 101.—The parish contains also the townships of East Challow and West Challow. Acres, 3,720. Real property, £8,183. Pop., 1,014. Houses, 228. The property is much subdivided. The manor of Letcombe-Regis is held by F. Parr, Esq., under the Dean and Chapter of Westminster; and the manor of West Challow belongs to C. Ferard, Esq A modern house, surrounded by a moat, occupies the site of what is thought to have been a hunting-box of King John. A beautiful hill, called Castle Hill, rises behind the village; and is crowned by a Roman camp. Very large works, for the making of engines and agricultural implements, are in East Challow. Large quantities of watercresses are sent to the London market. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Oxford. Value, £245.* Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Winchester. The church is late Norman, with perpendicular English additions; consists of nave and chancel, with embattled tower; and contains a Norman font. The p. curacy of East Challow is a separate benefice. There are a national school, and charities £18.

(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))