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Local History and Heritage
The area now administered by Havant Borough Council has a long
and varied history - long before the Romans arrived, the area was
settled and has developed as long as records have been
available. The links below will help you understand some of the
history of this fascinating part of England.
Some of this information is of interest due to when it was
written - in itself it reveals how much the Borough has changed,
and there are clues to present road names in some of the old,
long-forgotten locations mentioned. The pages from the Victoria
County History of Hampshire, for example, whilst full of detail,
themselves date from 1908, a time when the Borough was only just
starting to become developed beyond what are today the immediate
town centre areas.
The Manor of Bedhampton was part of the former Hundred of Portsdown and ran as far as Waterlooville. Pages from the Victoria County History of Hampshire
This page from the Victoria History of Hampshire covers Catherington parish which included (within the borough) Cowplain, Hart Plain and Wecock
Farlington included, in 1831, the villages of Purbrook, Portsdown, Stakes Hill or Frendstaple, and part of Waterlooville called 'Wait Lane End'. Page from the Victoria County History of Hampshire
This extract from the Victoria County History of Hampshire covers Havant Parish, including the Brockhampton area
This extract from the Victoria County History of Hampshire covers Hayling Island, part of the Hundred of Bosmere
Sailors and windsurfers may now enjoy hitting the water around Hayling Island, but 70 years ago there was a more serious purpose to the activities on the water - planning for clandestine wartime missions on board specially built canoes. Article from the BBC
This article from the Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society considers the history of Leigh Park
This site uncovers the long history of the Staunton estate, which was purchased by Portsmouth council after World War 2 and which today is the area known as Leigh Park
Local historian and Alderman, Ralph Cousins, is co-ordinating the production of a series of local history booklets covering various aspects of the fascinating local history of the Havant area
13th April 2009 saw special events held at Havant Station to celebrate 150 years of rail travel between Portsmouth, Guildford and London. Historical rerources such as posters, leaflets and magazine articles are available here.
The London-Portsmouth road which largely follows the route of the modern-day A3 through Widley, Purbrook, Waterlooville and Cowplain is familiar to the thousands of commuters who travel along it each day. Local historian Jennifer Goldsmith has been researching the history of the road and has unearthed some of the significant events, places and people which made it so important over the years. External link to the BBC
Our virtual tour of the Borough, covering each settlement in turn, includes short histories of each area and ideas as to what to look for when visiting
The Parish of Warblington formerly included Emsworth as well, as parts of the Hundred of Bosmere. Pages from the Victoria County History of Hampshire
This entry from the Victoria History of Hampshire shows just how much things have changed in 100 years. Widley today is NOT the Widley it once was ....