Hampshire

Hampshire, often called Hants, is a county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, Dorset to the west, and Wiltshire to the north-west. The largest settlement is Southampton, and the city of Portsmouth is also very important.

The county covers an area of 3,769 km². Besides Southampton and Portsmouth, other important towns include Basingstoke, Andover, and Winchester. Much of the county is rural, with beautiful countryside and historic sites.

Hampshire's landscape includes rolling hills, chalk downlands like the Hampshire Downs and the South Downs, and the famous New Forest. Rivers such as the Loddon, Wey, Itchen, and Test flow through the area.

People have lived in Hampshire for a very long time. During Roman Britain, the main town was Venta Belgarum, now known as Winchester. Over time, ports like Southampton grew because of trade with the European mainland. Hampshire was very important for military operations during World War One and World War Two because of its ports.

Toponymy

Long ago, the area around Southampton was called Hamtun. The region was known as Hamtunscīr. This old name appeared in the Domesday Book as Hantescire. That is where the short form "Hants" comes from. Between 1889 and 1959, this place was called the County of Southampton or sometimes Southamptonshire.

Many people from Hampshire traveled to North America in the 1600s to start new lives. They named the place they settled New Hampshire after their home in Hampshire.

History

Before the Roman Conquest

Main article: History of Hampshire

People have lived in this area since the end of the last Ice Age, around 12,000 BCE. At that time, Britain was connected to Europe by land and covered mostly in forests. The first people were hunters and gatherers who lived near rivers.

By 4000 BCE, people were farming, and by 2200 BCE, during the Bronze Age, they began clearing forests more widely. Hampshire had few big stone buildings, but nearby Stonehenge was built between 3100 and 2200 BCE. In the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, many hilltop forts were built, like Danebury Rings, and these places became important.

The Roman Era

The Romans came to Britain in 43 CE and quickly included Hampshire in their province of Britannia. Venta, today’s Winchester, became an important town. Although Hampshire was not involved in Boudicca’s rebellion around 60–61 CE, there is evidence of fires in Winchester from that time.

For the next three centuries, southern Britain had peace. Towns built walls, and a pottery industry in the New Forest sold items across the area. Near Southampton was a fort called Clausentum, part of the Saxon Shore forts, which protected against sea raids.

Portus Adurni, a Roman fort at the north end of Portsmouth Harbour, is one of the best-preserved Roman forts north of the Alps. The Romans left Britain in 410 CE.

The Jutes

For about 300 years after the Romans left, records are scarce. Later writers talked about groups of Jutes—people from Germany—who came to Hampshire after 476 AD. They settled in areas along the River Itchen and River Meon. Place names like Bishopstoke and the River Itchen show their influence.

The Saxons

In the late seventh century, the West Saxons moved south and brought Hampshire into their kingdom. The name “Hampshire” first appeared around this time. Winchester became a key city, and King Alfred, who fought off Viking attacks in the 9th century, made it his capital.

Middle Ages onwards

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, London became England’s main city, but Winchester stayed important. The New Forest, close to Winchester, was a favorite hunting place for kings. By the 12th century, ports like Southampton grew because of trade, fishing, and shipbuilding.

Coastal forts and castles were built to protect ports, including Portchester Castle. During the English Civil War (1642–1651), battles happened in Hampshire, such as the Siege of Basing House and the Battle of Cheriton.

By the mid-1800s, farming was still important, but manufacturing grew, especially in ports like Portsmouth and Southampton. In 1912, the Titanic, which was built and crewed in Southampton, sank on its first voyage.

Modern era

Hampshire was very important in both World Wars because of its navy base at Portsmouth, army camp at Aldershot, and airplane designers like Supermarine in Southampton. During World War II, Southampton was heavily bombed.

The Isle of Wight was once part of Hampshire but became its own county in 1890. In 1974, Bournemouth and Christchurch were moved to Dorset.

Geography

Hampshire is in South East England. It touches Dorset to the west, Wiltshire to the north-west, Berkshire to the north, Surrey to the north-east, and West Sussex to the east. The southern edge of Hampshire faces the sea. The English Channel and the Solent separate it from the Isle of Wight. Southampton is the largest town in Hampshire.

The land in Hampshire has many types of soil and rock. In the north and middle parts, there are old sandstones and mudstones, and chalk hills. Near the coast to the south, there are softer clays and gravels. The New Forest is a protected area with heathland, woods, and open spaces. It is home to animals like ponies and deer. The coastline has been shaped by the sea, creating big watery inlets such as Southampton Water and Portsmouth Harbour.

Settlements

Some of the bigger places in Hampshire include Farnborough, Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover, Gosport, Alton, Lymington, Ringwood, Petersfield, Aldershot, Waterlooville, Welborne, Fleet, Whiteley, Horton Heath, and Whitehill-Bordon.

Winchester is the county town of Hampshire. The port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are still part of Hampshire. These cities are also home to universities. Hampshire has good connections to London and has grown in areas like Basingstoke. The county also includes many market towns such as Alresford, Alton, and Andover.

For the complete list of settlements see List of places in Hampshire and List of settlements in Hampshire by population.

Demographics

See also: Immigration into Hampshire

Population

In 2001, Hampshire had 1,644,249 people. Most lived in Southampton, Portsmouth, and the county of Hampshire. Between 1991 and 2001, the population grew a little in these areas.

The biggest towns in Hampshire are Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, and Gosport. Many people live in these places.

Ethnicity and religion

In 2011, most people in Hampshire, about 89%, were white British. Some people were born in other countries, about 10% of the population. Most people, around 60%, were Christian. About 30% did not follow a religion. Smaller groups followed Islam and Hinduism.

Hampshire has many important religious places, like the Church of England Diocese of Winchester. There are also areas covered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.

Politics

Hampshire is governed by the Hampshire County Council based at Castle Hill in Winchester, except for the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton, which have their own local governments. The county also has eleven smaller districts and many local councils.

In 2016, most people in Hampshire voted to leave the European Union, called Brexit. Some areas, like Winchester, voted to stay. Hampshire may get a new combined authority and an elected mayor in 2026, which would change how the county is governed.

As of the 2024 General Election, Hampshire elects 19 Members of Parliament. Most are from the Conservative party, with some from Labour and the Liberal Democrats. The county's Parliament members come from many different areas, both towns and countryside.

Hampshire also has a County Youth Council, which lets young people share their ideas and have a say in what happens in their county.

Emergency services

Hampshire has services to help keep people safe. These include the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for firefighting, South Central Ambulance Service and South East Coast Ambulance Service for medical help, and Hampshire Constabulary for police work. There is also Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance for fast medical help from the air, British Transport Police for safety on trains, and HM Coastguard to help near the coast.

Economy

Hampshire is a wealthy county with a strong economy. In 2018, its people earned a lot, about the same as the rest of the UK. Many jobs are in cities like Portsmouth and Winchester. The county has fewer people without jobs than most places.

Tourism is important, especially in areas like the New Forest and the South Downs. Big events, like the Southampton Boat Show, draw many visitors. Hampshire also has important ports, such as Southampton Docks, which handle many ships and cargo.

Transport

See also: Transport in South Hampshire

Air

Southampton Airport is an international airport near Swaythling in the Borough of Eastleigh. It has a nearby railway station. The Farnborough International Airshow happens every even year at Farnborough Airport. Some days are for special shows, and the last two days are open to everyone.

Sea

Ferry services cross the channel and the Solent from Southampton, Portsmouth, and Lymington. These ferries go to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, and Europe.

Rail

The South West Main Line, run by South Western Railway, goes from London Waterloo to Weymouth through Winchester and Southampton. The Wessex Main Line runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Portsmouth Harbour and also passes through the county. Other lines include the Portsmouth Direct Line and the West of England line.

Road

The M3 motorway goes through the middle of the county, connecting to the M25 London orbital motorway and the M27 south coast motorway. The M27 helps avoid traffic in big towns. Important roads also include the A27, A3, A31, A34, A36, and A303.

Inland waterways

Hampshire used to have many canals, but most are no longer used. The Basingstoke Canal has been fixed up and can be used again. Other canals like the Salisbury and Southampton Canal, Andover Canal, and Portsmouth and Arundel Canal are gone. Work to fix the Itchen Navigation between Southampton and Winchester started in 2008 to help wildlife.

Education

Hampshire has many schools and colleges. There are 24 independent schools, with three in Southampton and four in Portsmouth. Some schools do not have sixth forms. There are 14 further education colleges in the area.

Well-known independent schools include Winchester College, one of England's oldest schools, and Bedales School, one of the first schools to allow boys and girls to study together.

The area has four universities: the University of Southampton, Solent University, the University of Portsmouth, and the University of Winchester. Some colleges, like Farnborough College of Technology, offer degrees approved by the University of Surrey.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Hampshire

Hampshire has large hospitals run by the NHS in its cities. There are also smaller hospitals in many towns, and some private hospitals. Two main NHS groups help manage these services. Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust looks after public health, and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust takes care of hospital care.

Culture, arts and sport

Flag

The Flag of Hampshire became official in 2019. It was added to a special list after support from local leaders. The special day to celebrate is July 15, St Swithun’s Day. St Swithun was an important leader long ago.

Music

Hampshire has many music groups and orchestras. Famous musician Laura Marling grew up here. There is a youth choir and orchestra in Winchester, which has traveled to places like Canada and Italy.

Museums

Hampshire has many interesting museums. In Winchester, you can learn about times long ago, from the Iron Age to the Victorian era. There are museums about airplanes, ships including the Titanic, and cars. You can visit places related to famous explorers and sailors.

Annual events

Every year, there are fun events like the New Forest and Hampshire County Show. There are also big gatherings for different communities and spring festivals at historical farms.

Buildings and protected monuments

Hampshire has many important buildings protected by law, from statues and churches to castles. There are also special parks, gardens, and old battlefields that people can visit to learn about history.

Sport

Cricket started in Hampshire, and the Hampshire County Cricket Club is one of the best teams. The main cricket ground is called the Rose Bowl. Hampshire is also good at sailing, with many places to enjoy the water. There are teams for football, like Portsmouth and Southampton, and places for racing cars and gliding.

Media

Television

Television news for Hampshire is shown on BBC South Today and ITV Meridian. There is also a local station called That's Hampshire.

Radio

You can listen to local radio stations like BBC Radio Solent and many others that play music and news for the community.

Press

There are daily newspapers in Southampton and Portsmouth, and weekly papers all over the county.

Notable people

For a more comprehensive list, see List of notable people from Hampshire.

Hampshire has been home to many famous people. The Duke of Wellington lived in the northern part of the county. Another important figure was Florence Nightingale, who was buried in Hampshire.

The county has strong ties to literature. Authors like Jane Austen, Wilbert Awdry, and Charles Dickens were either born there or lived there. Jane Austen spent most of her life in Hampshire and wrote her novels there. Alice Liddell, who inspired Lewis Carroll’s book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, lived near Lyndhurst, Hampshire.

Hampshire also has connections to art. Painters such as John Everett Millais, L. S. Lowry, and J. M. W. Turner have all created works featuring the area. The naturalist Gilbert White lived in Selborne. Many well-known broadcasters and journalists, including Philippa Forrester, Amanda Lamb, and Scott Mills, come from Hampshire.