FEATURE
Wonderful Wickham An enticing and eclectic historic market town
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ickham is an enchanting town, steeped in history, full of character, boasting a wealth of restaurants, shops and hotels surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Hampshire’s Meon Valley. The Romans established a settlement at Wickham, on the road from the Roman centres of Chichester and Winchester. Iron works have been found northeast of the village, and various Roman finds to the southwest. It was in Saxon Britain that the first written mention of the village appears, in a Royal Charter document dated 826. Recent excavation (1965–70) at the Manor House showed its grounds had dwellings and huts, evidence of Saxon settlement. Although only a stone’s throw away from the larger towns of Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth, Wickham offers the visitor (and the resident!) something quite different; intriguing, independent shops, an enviable variety of eateries, serene water meadows, fascinating historical buildings and for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, the Meon Valley Trail. The much-loved Meon Valley Trail stretches north for nine miles along the route of the old Meon Valley Railway towards the village of West Meon. Here it connects with The South Downs Way and Wayfarers’ Walk, enabling you to create an extended circular route if required. The route is level and passes by various hamlets and country pubs so it’s a path that can be enjoyed at any pace. Park in Wickham Square or Station Close Car Park for fast access to the trail and additional facilities and return later for a spot of shopping and some refreshments. Just off of the market square visitors can also enjoy Wickham Watermeadows, where the river Meon meanders past the village. These naturally
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formed water meadows, covering approximately eight acres, form a rare and tranquil oasis in the middle of a town. Owned by the Lord of the Manor until the early part of the 20th century, the water meadows were used for cattle grazing. However, thanks to the foresight and hard work of local residents and volunteers, the area has been transformed, complete with a new bridge across the River Meon, paths, benches and a picnic area. So it’s now a peaceful place to walk, picnic or simply spend some time by the water’s edge. Each year Wickham plays host to several famous festivals, the Wickham Festival, Taste of Wickham and Wickham Horse Fair, sadly these are pending return due to Covid19 restrictions. Parking in Wickham is free in the long term car park (Station Close, off Mill Lane) and free for the first 30 minutes in the Square. For shoppers, Wickham has a surprising amount to offer. There is Bay Tree Walk Shopping Centre, Chesapeake Mill (a former watermill), now a retail centre and Warwick Lane Shopping Centre, still owned by the Warwick family and has been since the late 1800s when it was a hardware store for over 100 years. In 2012 it was developed into a small scale indoor shopping village with boutique shops, services and a coffeehouse. It provides a great place for locals and visitors to shop and meet as well as supporting the village with employment and business opportunities. Many visitors travel from Fareham, Gosport, Portsmouth, Southampton and even further afield to enjoy the delights of Wickham, its shops, cafes and restaurants. So come along and enjoy the pleasures that our market town has to offer, we look forward to welcoming you!
