Bridge Street Area

The southern approach to the village, crossing the River Meon past the Chesapeake Mill, with period houses and river walks.

Bridge Street runs south from The Square to the point where it crosses the River Meon, and it forms one of the most attractive streets in Wickham. The bridge itself is a stone structure that has been rebuilt and repaired over the centuries, and it marks the point where the village meets the river. The Chesapeake Mill stands on Bridge Street, a distinctive white-painted watermill built in 1820 using timbers from the captured American warship USS Chesapeake. The mill is now a restaurant and events venue, but the building itself is a piece of Anglo-American naval history. Bridge Street has a mix of houses from various periods, including some older cottages near the river and more substantial Georgian and Victorian properties higher up. The street is quieter than The Square and has a residential character that becomes more rural as you approach the river. The Meon at this point is a clear chalk stream, attractive and well maintained by the fishing interests that manage the water. Footpaths from Bridge Street lead along the river in both directions, connecting to the Meon Valley Trail and the wider path network. The Bridge Street area is where Wickham's history and its natural setting come together most clearly.