Wickham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wickham |
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 Wickham
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| Population | 4,816 (2001) 4,299 (2011 Census including Knowle) |
| OS grid reference | SU572115 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | FAREHAM |
| Postcode district | PO17 |
| Dialling code | 01329 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Hampshire |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Wickham is a small village in Hampshire, England. It is about three miles north of Fareham. In 2011, about 4,300 people lived there.
Wickham has a big, open village square with many old buildings. It is a special "conservation area" to protect its history.
Long ago, Wickham was a crossing point on the River Meon. This was part of a Roman road that connected important Roman towns. These towns included Chichester (called Noviomagus Regnorum) and Winchester (called Venta Belgarum). Another road from Wickham went to Clausentum (Bitterne). Parts of the Roman road to Chichester are still used by local roads today.
People have found signs of Roman-British workshops near Wickham. These were mainly pottery kilns near the River Hamble.
Wickham was also the birthplace of William of Wykeham. He founded two famous schools: Winchester College and New College, Oxford.
The village used to have a semaphore station. This was part of the Admiralty Shutter Telegraph Line, which sent messages using signals.
Wickham also had a train station on the Meon Valley Railway. This railway line closed in 1955. Today, the old railway line is a path for cycling and horse riding.
A traditional gypsy horse fair happens every year on May 20th in the village square. If May 20th is a Sunday, it happens on another day.
Contents
History of Wickham
Early Days and Roman Times
The Romans built a settlement in Wickham. This was on their road between the Roman towns of Chichester and Winchester. People have found old iron works and other Roman items near the village.
The first time Wickham was written about was in a Royal Charter document from 826 AD. This was during the time of the Anglo-Saxons. Digs in the 1960s found evidence of Saxon homes and huts at the Manor House site.
After the Norman Conquest
After the Norman Conquest in 1066, King William gave the land of Wickham to Hugo de Port. The village was listed in the Domesday Book in 1086.
The thumb|St Nicholas Church in Wickham The current St Nicholas Church in Wickham was built in 1126. There might have been a church on this spot since the 7th century. King Henry III allowed markets to be held in Wickham every Thursday in 1269. This is when the village square started to look like it does today. Wickham also had a fair that brought in buyers and sellers from far away. The Wickham Horse Fair still happens every year on May 20th.
Wickham's Industrial Past
In the 1700s, Wickham had a tanning industry, which made leather. In the 1700s and 1800s, there was also a brewing industry. Both needed fresh water, which came from the River Meon.
In 1801, Wickham had 901 people, which was quite large for a village in Hampshire. In 1820, the Chesapeake Mill was built. It used timber from an American ship called the USS Chesapeake. This ship was captured during the War of 1812. Sir Richard Grindall, a naval commander, is buried in Wickham churchyard.
In 1903, a branch railway line was built from Fareham through Wickham. It closed to passengers in 1955. The old railway line is now a footpath. You can still see the original train station platforms.
In 1978, Wickham became "twinned" with the French village of Villiers-Sur-Mer. This means they have a special friendship. Wickham Vineyard opened in 1984.
In 1990, an old brewery and village hall in Wickham were turned into flats. The brewery had closed in 1910.
Culture and Events
Wickham Festival
Farmland north of Wickham hosts the Wickham Festival. This is an award-winning music event that lasts for four days each year. The first festival was in 2006. Many famous artists have played there, like James Blunt, 10cc, and The Proclaimers. The festival moved for a short time but came back to Wickham in 2010.
Taste Of Wickham
Taste of Wickham is a food festival. It first took place in Wickham's old village square in 2014. The festival offers local food, barbecues, and cooking shows. More than 4,000 people have visited the festival. It returned in 2015 with even more stalls and music.
Wickham Horse Fair
England's biggest and oldest horse fair happens in Wickham every year on May 20th. It is one of only two major horse-trading events in the country. Its history goes back to the 1200s. Crowds gather to trade horses, meet friends, and show off their animals. The fair includes parades with ponies decorated with ribbons.
Sport and Leisure
Wickham has a tennis club with two courts that have lights for playing at night. These courts are at Wickham Recreation Ground.
The Meon Valley Railway Line is a 17.5 km (11 mi) path for walking, cycling, and horse riding. It goes through the village. The path follows the old railway line that closed in 1968.
Images for kids
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Chesapeake Mill.
See also
In Spanish: Wickham para niños
