# Wickham: Full Reference > Local news and community guide for Wickham, Hampshire. A historic market village in the Meon Valley with one of the largest village squares in England, the Chesapeake Mill, and a thriving community. ## Areas ### The Square The Square is the beating heart of Wickham, one of the largest village squares in England and a space that has defined the settlement's character since the medieval period. The open area at the centre of the village was laid out as a planned market place, probably in the twelfth or thirteenth centur... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/the-square ### Bridge Street Area 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. T... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/bridge-street-area ### Wickham Village Centre Wickham village centre extends beyond The Square to include the streets that branch off in all directions from the central space. The centre takes in the commercial heart of the village along with the older residential streets closest to The Square. The village retains a working post office, a villa... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/wickham-village-centre ### Mayles Lane Area Mayles Lane runs north from The Square towards the open countryside and the lanes that lead to Shedfield and Bishop's Waltham. The area is predominantly residential, with a mix of housing that includes some older properties near the village centre and more modern development further out. Mayles Lane... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/mayles-lane-area ### School Road Area School Road runs east from the village centre and takes its name from Wickham CE Primary School, which stands on the road. The area around School Road is one of the more residential parts of the village, with housing that includes post-war development and some more recent additions. The primary scho... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/school-road-area ### Buddens Area The Buddens area lies to the east and south-east of the village centre, taking its name from Buddens Road which serves a cluster of residential development on this side of Wickham. The housing here is largely twentieth century, with a mix of detached and semi-detached houses and some bungalows set a... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/buddens-area ### Fareham Road Area Fareham Road is the main route south-east from Wickham towards Fareham, and the area along it includes a mix of residential properties and the transition from village to open countryside. The road carries the most traffic of any route through the village, connecting Wickham to the A32 and onwards to... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/fareham-road-area ### Wickham Common Wickham Common lies to the north-west of the village, an area of open land and woodland that provides a green buffer between the settlement and the countryside beyond. The common is a remnant of the former waste land that once surrounded many Hampshire villages, and it retains a semi-natural charact... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/wickham-common ### Riverside Area The Riverside area extends south from Bridge Street along the banks of the River Meon. This is the part of Wickham where the village meets the chalk stream, and the character is shaped by the proximity of the water. The River Meon is a clear, fast-flowing stream that supports brown trout and a range... URL: https://www.wickham.news/areas/riverside-area ## Guides ### Restaurants in Wickham Wickham has a small but well-regarded dining scene for a village of its size, centred on The Square and Bridge Street. The village punches above its weight in this respect, thanks largely to the prese... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/restaurants ### Cafes in Wickham Cafe culture in Wickham is modest in scale but improving. The village does not have a large number of dedicated cafes, but there are places to get coffee and a light bite without leaving the village. ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/cafes ### Pubs in Wickham The Kings Head on The Square is the main village pub in Wickham and has served the community for generations. The pub occupies a prominent position at the heart of the village, on the northern side of... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/pubs ### Takeaways in Wickham Wickham does not have a dedicated takeaway shop within the village. There is no fish and chip shop, no Indian takeaway, and no pizza outlet on The Square or any of the surrounding streets. For the ful... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/takeaways ### Farm Shops Near Wickham The Meon Valley and the surrounding Hampshire countryside support a number of farm shops and local produce outlets within easy reach of Wickham. The agricultural character of the area, combined with t... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/farm-shops ### Sunday Lunch in Wickham Sunday lunch is a well-established tradition in Wickham, and the village has several options for a roast dinner at the weekend. The Kings Head on The Square serves a traditional Sunday roast with the ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/sunday-lunch ### Breakfast Spots in Wickham Breakfast options in Wickham village are limited by its compact size. There is no dedicated breakfast cafe in the village centre, and the morning food scene is quieter than you would find in a town. ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/breakfast-spots ### Local Produce in Wickham Wickham sits in the Meon Valley, an area with a long agricultural history and a continuing tradition of food and drink production. The village and its surrounding countryside produce a range of food a... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/local-produce ### Shops in Wickham Wickham retains a small number of shops in the village centre, concentrated on and around The Square. The range is limited compared to a town, but the shops that survive serve important functions and ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/shops ### Hairdressers in Wickham Wickham has hairdressing provision within the village, providing a local option for haircuts and styling without the need to travel to a larger town. The village salon serves both men and women and ha... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/hairdressers ### Vets Near Wickham There is no veterinary practice within Wickham village, but several options are available within a short drive. The Fareham and Bishop's Waltham areas are both well served by veterinary surgeries, wit... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/vets ### Dentists Near Wickham There is no dental surgery in Wickham village. Residents seeking dental care use practices in Fareham, Bishop's Waltham, or the wider area. Both NHS and private dental practices are available, though ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/dentists ### Estate Agents for Wickham Estate agents handling property in Wickham are based primarily in Bishop's Waltham, Fareham, and Winchester, where the main agencies have offices. There is no estate agent's office within the village,... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/estate-agents ### Tradespeople in Wickham Finding reliable tradespeople is a concern for homeowners everywhere, and Wickham residents benefit from being in an area with a good supply of small trade businesses. The Meon Valley and the wider so... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/tradespeople ### Buses in Wickham Wickham is served by local bus routes connecting the village to Fareham and Bishop's Waltham. The main bus stop is on The Square, providing a convenient departure point. The service links the village ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/buses ### Trains Near Wickham Wickham does not have its own railway station. The Meon Valley Railway, which served the village from 1903, closed in 1955. The nearest stations are Botley, approximately three miles to the south-west... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/trains ### Parking in Wickham Parking in Wickham is managed through a combination of on-street spaces and a small public car park. The Square itself has parking spaces around its edges, and the surrounding streets provide addition... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/parking ### Cycling in Wickham Wickham is exceptionally well placed for cycling, both recreational and utility. The village sits at the southern end of the Meon Valley Trail, a traffic-free path following the route of the former Me... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/cycling ### Walking Routes from Wickham Wickham is an excellent base for walking, with the Meon Valley Trail, the River Meon, and the Hampshire countryside all within easy reach of The Square. The Meon Valley Trail is the most popular walk... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/walking-routes ### Commuting from Wickham Wickham's position in the Meon Valley, between Portsmouth and Winchester, provides commuters with several options for reaching their workplace. The village is rural in character but reasonably well co... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/commuting ### Doctors in Wickham Wickham Surgery is located on The Square and provides NHS GP services to the village and surrounding area. The presence of a GP surgery within the village is a significant asset, saving residents from... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/doctors ### Pharmacy in Wickham Wickham has a pharmacy within the village, which is an important local facility for a settlement of this size. The pharmacy provides prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medicines, and health adv... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/pharmacy ### Fitness in Wickham Wickham does not have a commercial gym or fitness centre, but the village and its surroundings provide excellent conditions for staying active. The Meon Valley Trail, the river paths, and the surround... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/fitness ### Mental Health Support Near Wickham Mental health support for Wickham residents is available through the NHS, voluntary organisations, and private practitioners. Wickham Surgery on The Square provides the first point of contact for anyo... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/mental-health ### Dental Care Near Wickham Dental care for Wickham residents is provided by practices in Fareham, Bishop's Waltham, and the wider area. There is no dental surgery within the village, but several practices are within a short dri... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/dental-care ### Schools in Wickham Wickham CE Primary School is the village's primary school, located on School Road within walking distance of the village centre. The school is a Church of England voluntary aided school, and it serves... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/schools ### Nurseries in Wickham Nursery and pre-school provision is available in and around Wickham, serving families with children from birth to school age. The village and surrounding area have childcare options that cater to diff... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/nurseries ### Tutoring in Wickham Private tutoring is available to Wickham families through local tutors and online platforms. The demand for tutoring reflects the general pattern across Hampshire, with parents seeking additional supp... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/tutoring ### Adult Education Near Wickham Adult education for Wickham residents is available through a range of providers in the wider area, covering everything from practical skills to academic qualifications and leisure learning. The commu... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/adult-education ### School Catchments in Wickham School catchment areas are an important consideration for families living in or moving to Wickham. The village falls within the catchment of Wickham CE Primary School for primary education and Swanmor... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/school-catchments ### Buying Property in Wickham Buying property in Wickham means entering a market shaped by the village's character, its Meon Valley setting, and the strong demand for homes in well-connected Hampshire villages. The property stock... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/buying-property ### Renting in Wickham The rental market in Wickham is small, reflecting the village's size and the fact that most properties are owner-occupied. Rental properties do come onto the market, but they are less common than in l... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/renting ### Property Prices in Wickham Property prices in Wickham are above the Hampshire average, reflecting the village's character, its Meon Valley setting, and the strength of demand from buyers who value a well-connected rural communi... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/property-prices ### New Builds in Wickham New housing development in Wickham is constrained by the conservation area, the settlement boundary, and the planning policies of Winchester City Council. The village sits within a rural area where de... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/new-builds ### Council Tax in Wickham Council tax in Wickham is levied by Winchester City Council, with additional precepts from Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority. The Wickham parish co... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/council-tax ### Playgrounds in Wickham Wickham has playground provision at the recreation ground on School Road, where a children's play area provides equipment for younger children. The playground is maintained by the parish council and i... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/playgrounds ### Family Activities in Wickham Wickham offers a good range of family activities for a village of its size, drawing on its natural setting, its community organisations, and the facilities available in the wider Meon Valley. The Meo... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/family-activities ### Community Groups in Wickham Wickham has an active community life supported by a range of groups, societies, and organisations. The village's size is large enough to sustain a variety of clubs but small enough that most residents... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/community-groups ### Churches in Wickham St Nicholas Church is the parish church of Wickham and the principal place of worship in the village. The church dates from the twelfth century, with elements from various later periods layered onto t... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/churches ### Volunteering in Wickham Volunteering is an important part of Wickham's community life. The village relies on volunteers for many of the activities and services that give it its character, from running community events to mai... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/volunteering ### Village Events in Wickham Wickham has a strong tradition of community events, anchored by the annual Wickham Festival and complemented by a calendar of smaller events throughout the year. The Wickham Festival is the village's... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/village-events ### The Meon Valley Trail from Wickham The Meon Valley Trail is a traffic-free walking and cycling path that follows the route of the former Meon Valley Railway from Wickham northwards through the Hampshire countryside. The trail is one of... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/meon-valley-trail ### Walks Around Wickham The countryside around Wickham provides some of the best walking in Hampshire, with a network of footpaths, bridleways, and lanes that cross farmland, follow the river, and climb onto the chalk downla... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/walks ### Wildlife Around Wickham Wickham's position in the Meon Valley, beside a chalk stream and surrounded by farmland and woodland, provides a rich habitat for wildlife. The village and its surroundings support a variety of birds,... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/wildlife ### Parks and Green Spaces in Wickham Wickham's green spaces provide the village with recreational areas, wildlife habitat, and the open ground that prevents a settlement from feeling enclosed. The village has several distinct green space... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/parks ### Gardening in Wickham Gardening thrives in Wickham, where the combination of chalk-influenced soil, a mild southern climate, and a community that values the outdoors creates good conditions for growing. The soil in the Me... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/gardening ### The Chesapeake Mill The Chesapeake Mill on Bridge Street is the most distinctive building in Wickham and one of the most unusual structures in Hampshire. Built in 1820, the watermill incorporates timbers salvaged from th... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/chesapeake-mill ### The History of The Square 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 ... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/the-square-history ### St Nicholas Church History St Nicholas Church is the parish church of Wickham and has served the village community for approximately nine hundred years. The church was founded in the twelfth century, likely on the site of an ea... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/st-nicholas-church ### Wickham's Medieval Market The granting of a market charter to Wickham in the thirteenth century was the event that shaped the village as it appears today. The charter gave Wickham the right to hold a regular market, and the la... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/medieval-market ### Meon Valley Heritage Wickham sits in the Meon Valley, a river valley with a history of human settlement stretching back to the Iron Age and beyond. The valley's fertile farmland, chalk stream, and sheltered geography have... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/meon-valley-heritage ### Local Legends of Wickham Every village accumulates stories over the centuries, and Wickham is no exception. The village's long history, its prominent square, and its position in the Meon Valley have generated legends, charact... URL: https://www.wickham.news/guide/local-legends ## History - 200: Roman Activity at Wickham - 500 BC: Iron Age Settlement in the Meon Valley - 650: Saxon Settlement and the Meonwara - 1086: Wickham in the Domesday Book - 1120: St Nicholas Church Founded - 1200: The Hundred of Wickham - 1269: Medieval Market Charter Granted - 1643: Wickham During the English Civil War - 1820: Chesapeake Mill Built from Warship Timbers - 1860: Victorian Village Life in Wickham - 1903: The Meon Valley Railway Opens - 1920: Wickham War Memorial Unveiled - 1944: Wickham During the Second World War - 1955: Closure of the Meon Valley Railway - 1960: Post-War Residential Growth - 1988: Wickham Bypass Opens - 2000: Millennium Celebrations in Wickham - 2020: Wickham in the Modern Era ## Streets - The Square - Bridge Street - High Street - Winchester Road - School Road - Mayles Lane - Southwick Road - Mill Lane - Fareham Road - Station Road - Church Lane - Buddens Road - Kingsmead - Houghton Close - Wickham Park - Orchard Close - Lodge Close - Glebe Close - Tanfield Lane - Knowle Road - Chapel Street - Castle Rise - Silver Birch Drive - Old Sawmill Close - D'Arcy Close ## Places - Chesapeake Mill (Heritage) - St Nicholas Church (Heritage) - Wickham Community Centre (Community) - Wickham Square (Heritage) - Wickham Vineyard (Food & Drink) - The Kings Head (Food & Drink) - Greens Restaurant (Food & Drink) - Wickham CE Primary School (Education) - Wickham Surgery (Health) - Meon Valley Trail (Nature) - The Village Stores (Shopping) - Wickham Recreation Ground (Sport & Leisure) - Rookesbury Park (Nature) - The Post Office (Shopping) - Parish Church Hall (Community) - Wickham Common (Nature)