The History of The Square

Seven hundred years of Wickham's market place

The Square is the defining feature of Wickham, an open space at the centre of the village that has served as a market place, a meeting point, and a civic space for over seven hundred years. It is one of the largest village squares in England, and its scale gives Wickham a character quite unlike that of most Hampshire villages.

The Square was laid out in the thirteenth century as part of a planned medieval settlement. The grant of a market charter in 1269 gave Wickham the right to hold a regular market, and The Square was designed as the market place. The generous proportions of the space reflect the ambition of the planned town: this was intended to be a commercial centre, drawing traders and buyers from across the Meon Valley.

The market function shaped the development of the surrounding buildings. Inns, shops, and houses were built around the edges of The Square, creating the enclosed space that persists today. The buildings date from various periods, with Georgian brick houses, older timber-framed cottages, and Victorian additions creating a layered architectural character.

Through the medieval and early modern periods, The Square served as the commercial and social heart of the village. Markets were held regularly, fairs brought seasonal trade, and the open space provided a venue for public gatherings and events. The war memorial, erected after the First World War, stands on the central island and serves as a solemn focal point.

The arrival of the A32 as a major through route brought heavy traffic into The Square during the twentieth century, threatening the character of the space. The construction of the bypass in 1988 transformed The Square by removing through traffic, allowing it to recover its function as a village space rather than a traffic junction.

Today, The Square hosts the Wickham Festival, the Christmas fair, community markets, and the daily life of the village. Its scale and its history make it the most important public space in the Meon Valley.