The Ceremonial County of Hampshire in England

The Ceremonial County of Hampshire is situated in South East England.

The area of Hampshire is 1,488 Square Miles (3,854 Square Kilometres). Making Hampshire the 18th largest county in Great Britain (out of 91) and the 10th largest county in England (out of 48).

Discovering Hampshire: A Blend of History and Modernity in the UK

Nestled in the south of England, Hampshire is not just another county. It's a diverse mix of modernity and antiquity, presenting a captivating blend of sleepy villages, high-tech industries, bustling town centres, and expansive green landscapes.

The Origin of a Name

Contrary to what many believe, Hampshire doesn't derive its name from a county town, as is typical with many other counties. Instead, its name springs from the port of Southampton. Over time, "South" was omitted, leading to its contemporary moniker. Up until recent history, it was also referred to as the County of Southampton, a title that persisted even within the County Council's designation until the 1970s.

The Administrative Heart: Winchester

Although the name 'Hampshire' stems from Southampton, the official county town is Winchester. This historic location houses the Hampshire County Council, set within the majestic surroundings of the Castle.

Natural Wonders and Historic Sites

Travelling through Hampshire is akin to a journey through time. The southwest houses the renowned New Forest, an ancient royal hunting ground christened "Nova Foresta" by William the Conqueror. Venture eastward along the coast, and you're greeted by the Solent, a natural harbour separating the mainland from the Isle of Wight. Anchored in the Solent's midst is the Hamble River, a longstanding hub for trade and shipbuilding.

Southampton, situated along this coastal stretch, is a town rich in maritime history. It waved farewell to numerous voyagers, including those aboard the ill-fated Titanic and the revered Mayflower and Speedwell vessels, which transported the Pilgrim Fathers to America's shores.

Further east lies the naval stronghold of Portsmouth. Here, maritime enthusiasts can marvel at Admiral Nelson's flagship, the HMS Victory.

Central Hampshire offers more treasures. Winchester, once England's capital, is a former Roman city boasting the awe-inspiring Winchester Cathedral.

Towns of Significance

In the northwest, Andover beckons with its Museum of the Iron Age, while northeast introduces Aldershot, the British Army's cradle, and Farnborough, widely recognized as the birthplace of aviation. This was the original site of the British Army Balloon School, where Samuel Cody, the brother of famed Wild West showman Bill 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, made groundbreaking contributions.

Samuel Cody, distinctively recognized by his extravagant long hair and facial hair, was a pioneer in the realm of manned kites. These kites would frequently soar over Farnborough, often with a passenger aboard. In the absence of willing test pilots, Samuel's audacious wife, Maud, would often step in to fill the role. These manned kites laid the groundwork for the evolution into early flying machines, leading many first-generation aviators to affectionately refer to their aircraft as 'kites'. However, Samuel's pioneering journey met a tragic end when he was killed in an aircraft crash over Farnborough.

Between Farnborough and Andover lies Basingstoke, a lively town pulsating with activity.

Travelling Through Hampshire

Navigating Hampshire is made easy with the M3 motorway, bridging London to Southampton via Winchester. The A303, branching from the M3 near Basingstoke, is the primary route to the South West, aptly nicknamed the 'Highway to the Sun'.

With its compelling history, modern amenities, and a plethora of sights to explore, Hampshire truly does have something for everyone. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, or simply seeking an escape from the city's hustle and bustle, this county promises an unforgettable experience.

The area of Hampshire is 1,488 Square Miles (3,854 Square Kilometres). Making Hampshire the 18th largest county in Great Britain (out of 91) and the 10th largest county in England (out of 48).

Map of Hampshire

A map showing the boundary of Hampshire in relation to other counties.

Map of the County of Hampshire

Zoom LevelLatitudeLongitude
653.521968-2.164306
Cities, Towns and Villages in Hampshire
Abbots Worthy
Abbotswood
Abbotts Ann
Aldershot
Alton
Ampfield
Amport
Andover
Andover Down
Anna Valley
Appleshaw
Arford
Ashford
Ashford Hill
Ashley
Ashmansworth
Ashurst
Avington
Avon
Awbridge
Axford
Ball Hill
Balmerlawn
Bartley
Barton on Sea
Barton Stacey
Bashley
Basingstoke
Baughurst
Beaulieu
Beech
Bentley
Bentworth
Bighton
Binsted
Bishop's Green
Bishop's Sutton
Bishop's Waltham
Bishopstoke
Blackfield
Blackmoor
Blacknest
Blackwater
Blashford
Blendworth
Boldre
Boorley Green
Bordon
Botley
Bradley
Braishfield
Brambridge
Bramdean
Bramley
Bramley Green
Bramshaw
Bramshott
Bramshott Chase
Bransgore
Breamore
Broadgate
Brockenhurst
Broughton
Brown Candover
Bucks Horn Oak
Bull Hill
Burghclere
Burghclere Common
Buriton
Burley
Burley Street
Burridge
Bursledon
Butlocks Heath
Cadnam
Calshot
Canada
Catherington
Chandler's Ford
Charlton
Charter Alley
Chawton
Cheriton
Chilworth
Chilworth Old Village
Church Crookham
Church End
Clanfield
Cliddesden
Colden Common
Compton
Conford
Copythorne
Corhampton
Cowplain
Crampmoor
Crawley
Crondall
Crookham Village
Crow
Crowdhill
Curdridge
Damerham
Denmead
Dibden
Dibden Purlieu
Dogmersfield
Downton
Droxford
Dummer
Dunbridge
Durley
Durley Street
Durrants
East Boldre
East Cholderton
East Dean
East End
East End
East Meon
East Stratton
East Tisted
East Tytherley
East Wellow
East Worldham
Eastleigh
Easton
Ecchinswell
Ellisfield
Elvetham
Elvetham Heath
Emery Down
Empshott
Emsworth
Enham Alamein
Eversley Centre
Eversley Cross
Everton
Ewshot
Exton
Faccombe
Fair Oak
Fareham
Farnborough
Fawley
Finchdean
Fisher's Pond
Fleet
Fleet
Fordingbridge
Forton
Four Marks
Freefolk
Fritham
Frithend
Frogham
Funtley
Furzeley Corner
Fyfield
Gilbert Street
Godshill
Goodworth Clatford
Gosport
Grateley
Grayshott
Great Shoddesden
Greatham
Greywell
Hale
Hamble-le-Rice
Hambledon
Hammer Bottom
Hangersley
Hannington
Hardley
Hartfordbridge
Hartley Wespall
Hartley Wintney
Hatherden
Havant
Hawkley
Hawley
Hazeley
Headbourne Worthy
Headley
Headley
Headley Down
Heckfield
Hedge End
High Cross
Highbridge
Highclere
Hightown
Hill Brow
Hill Head
Hinton
Hinton Ampner
Holbury
Holt Pound
Holybourne
Hook
Hook Park Estate
Hordle
Horndean
Horton Heath
Houghton
Hound
Hound Green
Hundred Acres
Hursley
Hurstbourne Priors
Hurstbourne Tarrant
Hyde
Hythe
Ibthorpe
Inhurst
Isington
Itchen Abbas
Itchen Stoke
Kentsboro
Keyhaven
Kilmeston
Kimpton
King's Somborne
Kings Worthy
Kingsclere
Kingsley
Kingston
Knowle
Langley
Langrish
Lasham
Laverstoke
Lee-on-the-Solent
Lindford
Linwood
Liphook
Liss
Litchfield
Little Hoddington
Little Holbury
Little London
Littleton
Lockerley
Locks Heath
Long Sutton
Longparish
Longstock
Lopcombe
Lower Common
Lower Common
Lower Farringdon
Lower Froyle
Lower Upham
Lowford
Lymington
Lyndhurst
Mapledurwell
Marchwood
Martin
Martyr Worthy
Mattingley
Medstead
Meonstoke
Micheldever
Michelmersh
Middle Wallop
Middleton
Milford on Sea
Mill Lane
Minstead
Mockbeggar
Monk Sherborne
Monkwood
Monxton
Mortimer West End
Mottisfont
Nately Scures
Neacroft
Nether Wallop
Netley
Netley Marsh
New Alresford
New Cheriton
New Milton
Newnham
Newton Valence
Newtown
Newtown
Newtown
Newtown Common
Norleywood
North Baddesley
North Boarhunt
North Charford
North Gorley
North Hayling
North Stoneham
North Waltham
North Warnborough
Northney
Nursling
Oakhanger
Oakley
Odiham
Old Alresford
Old Basing
Old Burghclere
Old Netley
Otterbourne
Over Wallop
Overton
Owslebury
Palestine
Pamber End
Pamber Green
Park Gate
Passfield
Peel Common
Penton Grafton
Penton Mewsey
Penwood
Petersfield
Phoenix Green
Picket Piece
Pilley
Plaitford
Portchester
Portmore
Portsmouth
Preston Candover
Purbrook
Quarley
RAF Odiham
Rake
Ramsdean
Ramsdell
Ringwood
Ripley
Rockbourne
Rockford
Romsey
Ropley
Ropley Dean
Rotherwick
Rowlands Castle
Rownhams
Sandleheath
Sandy Balls
Sandy Down
Sarisbury
Segensworth
Selborne
Setley
Shalden
Shawford
Shedfield
Sheet
Sherborne St John
Sherfield English
Sherfield on Loddon
Shipton Bellinger
Shirrell Heath
Shootash
Silchester
Soberton
Soberton Heath
Soldridge
Sopley
South Down
South Gorley
South Hayling
South Warnborough
South Wonston
Southampton
Southrope
Southsea
Southwick
Sparsholt
Springvale
St Mary Bourne
Standford
Steep
Steep Marsh
Steventon
Stockbridge
Stoke
Stoke
Stoke Charity
Stratfield Saye
Stroud
Stubbington
Stuckton
Sutton Scotney
Swanmore
Swanwick
Sway
Tadley
Thorney Hill
Thruxton
Tichborne
Timsbury
Tinkers Cross
Tiptoe
Titchfield
Titchfield Common
Titchfield Park
Totton
Twyford
Up Nately
Up Somborne
Upham
Upper Clatford
Upper Farringdon
Upper Froyle
Upper Wield
Upton
Upton Grey
Vernham Dean
Walhampton
Waltham Chase
Warnford
Warsash
Wash Water
Waterlooville
Weavers Down
West Heath
West Meon
West Tytherley
West Wellow
Weyhill
Wherwell
Whitchurch
Whitehill
Whiteley
Whitsbury
Wickham
Wildmoor
Winchester
Winchfield
Winchfield Hurst
Winsor
Wishanger Common
Wonston
Woodgreen
Woodlands
Woolton Hill
Wootton
Wootton St Lawrence
Worthy Down
Yateley