View source for Hampshire

{{Short description|County of England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox English county
| official_name = Hampshire
| locator_map = {{Switcher
| [[File:Hampshire UK locator map 2010.svg|250px]]<br />''Ceremonial Hampshire within England''<hr />
| Ceremonial Hampshire
| [[File:Hampshire - British Isles.svg|250px]]<br />Historic Hampshire in the British Isles<hr />
| Historic Hampshire
}}
| coordinates = {{coord|51.0575|-1.3075|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| region = [[South East England|South East]]
| established_date = [[Historic counties of England|Ancient]]
| lord_lieutenant_office = Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire
| lord_lieutenant_name = Nigel Atkinson
| high_sheriff_office = High Sheriff of Hampshire
| high_sheriff_name = Lady Edwina Grosvenor<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63644|page=5082|date=16 March 2022}}</ref> (2022–23)
| area_total_km2 = 3,769
| area_total_rank = 9th
| ethnicity = 
| county_council = [[Hampshire County Council]]
| admin_hq = [[Winchester]]
| area_council_km2 = 3,679
| area_council_rank = 7th
| iso_code = GB-HAM
| ons_code = 24
| gss_code = E10000014
| nuts_code = UKJ33
| unitary_council1 = [[Southampton City Council|Southampton]]
| unitary_council2 = [[Portsmouth City Council|Portsmouth]]
| districts_map = [[File:Hampshire numbered districts.svg|200px]]
| districts_key = {{Colorsample|#FEFE77}} Unitary {{Colorsample|#FEC1E9}} County council area
| districts_list = #[[Test Valley]]
#[[Basingstoke and Deane]]
#[[Hart District|Hart]]
#[[Rushmoor]]
#[[City of Winchester]]
#[[East Hampshire]]
#[[New Forest District|New Forest]]
#[[Southampton]]
#[[Borough of Eastleigh|Eastleigh]]
#[[Borough of Fareham|Fareham]]
#{{nowrap|[[Gosport]]}}
#[[Portsmouth]]
#[[Borough of Havant|Havant]]
| MPs = [[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Hampshire|List of MPs]]
| police = [[Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary]]
| website = {{URL|https://hants.gov.uk}}
| image_main = {{multiple images|border=infobox|perrow=1 2|total_width=270px
                               | image1 = Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth, England (2).jpg
                               | image2 = Cathedral west end - geograph.org.uk - 1634299.jpg
                               | image3 = New Forest Pigs (cropped).jpg
                              }}
| image_caption = [[Spinnaker Tower]] and [[Portsmouth Harbour]] (top), [[Winchester Cathedral]] (bottom left), and [[pannage]] in the [[New Forest]] (bottom right)
}}

'''Hampshire''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|æ|m|p|ʃ|ər}}, {{IPAc-en|audio=En-uk-Hampshire.ogg|-|ʃ|ɪər}}; abbreviated to '''Hants.'''){{efn|Archaically known as the '''County of Southampton''', and less commonly as '''Southamptonshire'''}} is a [[Ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] in [[South East England]]. It is bordered by [[Berkshire]] to the north, [[Surrey]] and [[West Sussex]] to the east, the [[Isle of Wight]] across [[the Solent]] to the south, [[Dorset]] to the west, and [[Wiltshire]] to the north-west. [[Southampton]] is the largest settlement.

The county has an area of {{Convert|3769|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and had an estimated population of {{English cerem counties|POP=Hampshire}} in {{English cerem counties|TXT=Year}}. Southampton is located in the south and the city of [[Portsmouth]] in the south-east; both are part of [[South Hampshire|a larger conurbation]]. A [[Farnborough/Aldershot built-up area|second conurbation]] in the north-east includes [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]] and [[Aldershot]] and extends into Berkshire and Surrey. The remainder of the county is rural, and its principal settlements include [[Basingstoke]] in the north, [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]] in the north-west, and [[Winchester]] in the centre. For [[Local government in England|local government]] purposes Hampshire comprises a [[non-metropolitan county]], with eleven districts, and two [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] areas: Portsmouth and Southampton. The county historically contained the towns of [[Bournemouth]] and [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]], which are now in Dorset, and the Isle of Wight.

Undulating hills characterise much of the county. A belt of chalk crosses the county from north-west, where it forms the [[Hampshire Downs]], to south-east, where it is part of the [[South Downs]]. The county's major rivers rise in these hills; the [[River Loddon|Loddon]] and [[River Wey|Wey]] drain north, into the [[River Thames|Thames]], and the [[River Itchen, Hampshire|Itchen]] and [[River Test|Test]] flow south into [[Southampton Water]], a large estuary. In the south-east are [[Portsmouth Harbour]], [[Langstone Harbour]], and the western edge of [[Chichester Harbour]], three large [[ria]]s. The south-west contains the [[New Forest]], which includes pasture, [[heath]], and forest and is one of the largest expanses of [[ancient woodland]] remaining in England.

Settled about 14,000 years ago, Hampshire's recorded history dates to [[Roman Britain]], when its chief town was [[Venta Belgarum]] (now Winchester). The county was recorded in [[Domesday Book]] as divided into 44 [[Hundred (county division)|hundreds]]. From the 12th century, the ports settlements grew due to increasing trade with the [[Continental Europe|European mainland]] resulting from the wool and cloth, fishing, and shipbuilding industries. This meant by the 16th century, Southampton had become more populous than Winchester. In 20th century conflicts, including [[World War I|World War One]] and [[World War II|Two]], Hampshire played a crucial military role due to its ports.

==Toponymy==
The Saxon settlement at Southampton was known as {{lang|ang|Hamtun}}, while the surrounding area or {{lang|ang|scīr}} was called {{lang|ang|Hamtunscīr}}. The old name was recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] as {{lang|enm|Hantescire}}, and it is from this spelling that the modern abbreviation "Hants" derives.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Hampshire |url=http://www3.hants.gov.uk/abouthnt |publisher=Hampshire County Council |access-date=3 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304224622/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/abouthnt |archive-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1889 until 1959, the [[administrative county]] was named the '''County of Southampton'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=County of Hants (Southampton) |url=http://histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser?path=Browse/Census%20%28by%20geography%29/England/1891&active=yes&mno=64&tocstate=expandnew&tocseq=2600&display=sections&display=tables&display=pagetitles&pageseq=first-nonblank |work=Census of England and Wales: 1891: Area, Houses and Population: Volume 1 |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |access-date=27 August 2012 |page=121 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515230422/http://histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/PageBrowser?path=Browse%2FCensus%20%28by%20geography%29%2FEngland%2F1891&active=yes&mno=64&tocstate=expandnew&tocseq=2600&display=sections&display=tables&display=pagetitles&pageseq=first-nonblank |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Local Government Act 1958: Section 59: Change of Name of County |url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/41639/pages/1241 |work=The London Gazette |access-date=27 August 2012 |page=1241 |date=20 February 1959 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507071652/http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/41639/pages/1241 |archive-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> It has also been called '''Southamptonshire'''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vision of Britain |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp;jsessionid=831E0EE166940B068F901D2E5F5D2B33?text_id=929180&word=NULL |access-date=13 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224152528/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/descriptions/entry_page.jsp;jsessionid=831E0EE166940B068F901D2E5F5D2B33?text_id=929180&word=NULL |archive-date=24 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Gaz1868>{{cite web |title=National Gazetteer |date=1868 |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HAM/Gaz1868.shtml |access-date=13 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018015223/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HAM/Gaz1868.shtml |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Hampshire was a departure point for several groups of [[British colonization of the Americas|colonists]] who left England to settle on the east coast of [[North America]] during the 17th century, and many inhabitants of Hampshire settled there, naming the land [[New Hampshire]] in honour of their original homeland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Origin of 'New Hampshire' |date=28 September 2014 |url=http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/new-hampshire/state-name-origin/origin-new-hampshire |publisher=State Symbols USA |access-date=30 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904004447/http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/new-hampshire/state-name-origin/origin-new-hampshire |archive-date=4 September 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==History==

===Before the Roman Conquest===
{{Main|History of Hampshire}}

The region is believed to have been continuously occupied since the end of the [[Last Glacial Maximum|last Ice Age]] about 12,000 BCE.<ref>{{cite book |last=Oppenheimer |first=Stephen |date=2006 |title=The Origins of the British: A Genetic Detective Story |publisher=Carroll & Graf |isbn=9780786718900 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780786718900}}</ref> At that time sea levels were lower and Britain was still attached by a land bridge to the European continent and predominantly covered with deciduous woodland. The first inhabitants were [[Mesolithic]] [[hunter-gatherers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The British Museum: Prehistoric Britain |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/visit-resource_prehistoric-britain-KS2.pdf |page=6 |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218232939/http://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/visit-resource_prehistoric-britain-KS2.pdf |archive-date=18 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of the population would have been concentrated around the river valleys.<ref name=HER>{{cite web |title=Hampshire County Council: The Atlas of Hampshire's Archaeology |url=http://documents.hants.gov.uk/archaeology/TheAtlasofHampshiresArchaeology.pdf |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063900/http://documents.hants.gov.uk/archaeology/TheAtlasofHampshiresArchaeology.pdf |archive-date=15 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Over several thousand years the climate became progressively warmer and sea levels rose; the English Channel, which started out as a river, was a major inlet by 8000 BCE, although Britain was still connected to Europe by a land bridge across the North Sea until 6500 BCE.<ref>Gaffney, V, Fitch, S, and Smith, D, 2009, ''Europe's Lost World: The rediscovery of Doggerland''</ref> Notable sites from this period include [[Bouldnor Cliff]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maritimearchaeologytrust.org/bouldnor |title=Bouldnor Cliff |publisher=Maritime Archaeology Trust |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082418/http://www.maritimearchaeologytrust.org/bouldnor |archive-date=12 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Danebury Fort - aerial image, Hampshire Data Portal.jpg|thumb|left|[[Danebury|Danebury Fort]] – aerial image]]
[[Agriculture]] was being practised in southern Britain by 4000 BCE and with it a [[Neolithic]] culture. Some deforestation took place at that time, although during the [[Bronze Age]], beginning in 2200 BCE, it became more widespread and systematic.<ref>Pryor, F, 2003, ''Britain BC''{{full citation needed|date=December 2019}}</ref> Hampshire has few monuments to show from those early periods, although nearby [[Stonehenge]] was built in several phases at some time between 3100 and 2200 BCE. In the very late Bronze Age fortified hilltop settlements known as [[hillforts]] began to appear in large numbers in many parts of Britain including Hampshire, and they became more and more important in the early and middle [[Iron Age]];<ref name= "CunliffeIronAge">Cunliffe, B, 2008, ''Iron Age Communities in Britain'', fourth edition</ref> many of them are still visible in the landscape today and can be visited, notably [[Danebury|Danebury Rings]], the subject of a major study by archaeologist [[Barry Cunliffe]]. By that period the people of Britain predominantly spoke a [[Celtic languages|Celtic language]], and their culture shared much in common with the [[Celts]] described by classical writers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cunliffe |first=Barry W. |date=1997 |title=The Ancient Celts |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780198150107}}</ref> The town of [[Bitterne]] (''Byterne'' in a reference from the late 11th century.<ref name="placenames">{{cite book |last=Mills |first=A.D. |title=Dictionary of English Place-Names |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |year=1998 |edition=2nd |isbn=0-19-280074-4}}</ref>) shares the same root as the [[River Erne]], suggesting the name refers to the [[Iverni]].<ref name=roulston>Roulston, William J. ''Fermanagh: History and Society''. Geography Publications, 2004. pp.577-578.</ref><ref>[[Ptolemy]]. ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography]]''. 2.2.6 (ed. K. Müller [Paris 1883–1901])</ref>

Hillforts largely declined in importance in the second half of the second century BCE, with many being abandoned. Probably around that period the first recorded invasion of Britain took place, as southern Britain was largely conquered by warrior-elites from [[Belgae|Belgic tribes]] of northeastern Gaul, but whether those two events were linked to the decline of hillforts is unknown. By the time of the Roman conquest the ''[[oppidum]]'' at [[Venta Belgarum]], modern-day Winchester, was the ''de facto'' regional administrative centre; Winchester was, however, of secondary importance to the Roman-style town of [[Calleva Atrebatum]], modern [[Silchester]], built further north by a dominant Belgic polity known as the [[Atrebates]] in the 50s BCE. Julius Caesar invaded south-eastern England briefly in 55 and again in 54 BCE, but he never reached Hampshire. Notable sites from this period include [[Hengistbury Head]] (now in Dorset), which was a major port.<ref name="CunliffeIronAge" /><ref>Pryor, F, 2004, ''Britain BC''{{full citation needed|date=December 2019}}</ref>

===The Roman Era===

The Romans invaded Britain again in 43 CE and Hampshire was incorporated into the Roman province of Britannia very quickly. It is generally believed their political leaders allowed themselves to be incorporated peacefully. Venta became the capital of the administrative polity of the Belgae, which included most of Hampshire and Wiltshire and reached as far as Bath. Whether the people of Hampshire played any role in [[Boudica|Boudicca's]] rebellion of 60–61 is not recorded, but evidence of burning is seen in Winchester dated to around that period.<ref>Cunliffe, B, 1991, ''Wessex to AD 1000'', p.218</ref> For most of the next three centuries southern Britain enjoyed relative peace. During the later part of the Roman period most towns built defensive walls; a pottery industry based in the New Forest exported items widely across southern Britain. A fortification near Southampton was called [[Clausentum]], part of the [[Saxon Shore]] forts, traditionally seen as either defences against maritime raids by Germanic tribes, or as a settlement area of Germanic tribes, which receives support from archaeological finds. Artefacts of a Germanic style have been found in burials, while there is also evidence of the presence of early Saxon settlement in southern England and the northern coasts of Gaul around [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]] and [[Bayeux]].<ref>''CBA Report 18: The Saxon Shore'', pp. 63-67</ref> This, in turn, could mirror a well documented practice of deliberately settling Germanic tribes to strengthen Roman defences.

[[File:Aerial photograph of Portchester Castle, 1938.jpg|thumb|Portchester Castle, June 1938]]
Portus Adurni was a [[Castra|Roman fort]] situated at the north end of [[Portsmouth Harbour]]. It was part of the [[Saxon Shore]], and is the best-preserved Roman fort north of the Alps.<ref>{{citation |last=Goodall |first=John |author-link=John Goodall (author) |title=Portchester Castle |publisher=English Heritage |year=2008 |orig-date=2003 |location=London |isbn=978-1-84802-007-8 |page=3}}</ref> Around an eighth of the fort has been excavated.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pearson |first=Andrew |title=The Roman Shore Forts: Coastal Defences of Southern Britain |year=2002 |publisher=Tempus |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-1949-8 |page=146}}</ref> A Norman keep was added in the [[Middle Ages]], now known as [[Portchester Castle]]. The Romans withdrew from Britain in 410.<ref name="CunliffeWessex">Cunliffe, B, 1991, ''Wessex to AD 1000''</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=de la Bédoyère |first=Guy |date=2006 |title=Roman Britain: A New History |publisher=Thames & Hudson |isbn=9780500051405}}</ref><ref name="Pryor">Pryor, F, 2004, ''Britain AD''{{full citation needed|date=December 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Roman Road plaque.jpg|thumb|Plaque on Freemantle Common marking the route of the Roman Road from Chichester to Bitterne]]
Two major Roman roads, [[Ermin Way]] and [[Port Way]], cross the north of the county connecting Calleva Atrebatum with [[Corinium Dobunnorum]], modern [[Cirencester]], and [[Old Sarum]] respectively. Other roads connected Venta Belgarum with Old Sarum, [[Wickham, Hampshire|Wickham]] and Clausentum. A road presumed to diverge from the [[Chichester to Silchester Way]] at Wickham connected [[Noviomagus Reginorum]], modern [[Chichester]], with Clausentum.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=Hugh |title=Roads in Roman Britain |date=2002 |publisher=Tempus |location=Stroud |isbn=0-7524-2503-X |pages=168–183}}</ref>

===The Jutes===

Records are sparse for the next 300 years, but later chroniclers speak of an influx of [[Jutes]]<ref>Leonard Neidorf, "The Dating of ''Widsith'' and the Study of Germanic Antiquity," ''Neophilologus'' (January 2013)</ref> – an amalgam of [[Cimbri]], [[Teutons]], [[Gutones]] and [[Charudes]] called ''Eudoses'',<ref>Tacitus, ''Germania'', [[wikisource:Germania#XLV|Germania.XLV]]</ref> ''Eotenas'',<ref>Stuhmiller, Jacqueline (1999). "On the Identity of the "Eotenas"". Neuphilologische Mitteilungen. Modern Language Society. 100 (1): 7–14. JSTOR 43315276.</ref> ''Iutae''<ref>Martin, Kevin M. (1971). "Some Textual Evidence Concerning the Continental Origins of the Invaders of Britain in the Fifth Century". Latomus. 30 (1): 83–104. JSTOR 41527856.</ref> or ''Euthiones''<ref>{{cite book |last=Stenton |first = F.&nbsp;M. |year=1971 |title = Anglo-Saxon England 3rd edition |publisher=OUP |location=Oxford |isbn=978-0-19-280139-5 }}</ref> in other sources - and recorded by Bede in his [[Ecclesiastical History of the English People]] in the early eighth century:
{{Blockquote|Those who came over were of the three most powerful nations of Germany—Saxons, Angles, and Jutes. From the Jutes are descended the people of Kent, and of the Isle of Wight, and those also in the province of the West Saxons who are to this day called Jutes, seated opposite to the Isle of Wight.|source=Bede (1910)<ref>{{cite wikisource |author=Bede |title=Ecclesiastical History of the English People |year=1910 |wslink=Ecclesiastical_History_of_the_English_Nation_(Jane) |translator1-last=Jane |translator1-first=L.C. |translator2-first=A.M. |translator2-last=Sellar |at=1.15}}</ref>}}

They initially settled Hampshire under [[Visigoths|Visigothic]] authority sometime after 476 AD,<ref>Frassetto, Michael (2003). Encyclopedia of Barbarian Europe: Society in Transformation. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. {{ISBN|978-1-57607-263-9}}.</ref> forming several distinct [[Bookland (law)|folklands]] organized around a central geographical feature. Various place-names identify locations as Jutish, including [[Bishopstoke]] (''Ytingstoc''), the [[River Itchen, Hampshire|River Itchen]] (''Ytene'') and the [[River Meon|Meon Valley]] (''Ytedene'').<ref>{{cite book |last=Yorke |first=Barbara |title = Wessex in the Early Middle Ages |location=London |publisher=Routledge |year=1995 |author-link=Barbara Yorke |isbn=0-415-16639-X |pages=37–39}}</ref> There in fact appear to be at least two Jutish folklands in Hampshire: one established along the [[River Itchen, Hampshire|River Itchen]] and one along the [[River Meon]]. Evidence of an early Germanic settlement has been found at [[Clausentum]], dated to the fifth century and likely the Visigothic center of power in the area, either independently or in conjunction with powerful Romano-British trading ports.<ref>Jillian Hawkins, "Words and Swords: People and Power along the Solent in the 5th Century" (2020)</ref> Nevertheless, [[Visigoths|Visigothic]] authority waned after 517 A.D and the settlements were gradually encroached upon by [[Sussex|South Saxons]].

===The Saxons===

The [[Wessex|West Saxons]] moved south in the late seventh century and incorporated Hampshire into their kingdom.{{efn|''Ytene'' is the [[genitive plural]] of ''Yte'' meaning "Jute", i.e. "of the Jutes".{{sfn|Stenton|1971|p=23}} [[Florence of Worcester]] talks about how [[William Rufus]] was slain in the New Forest and that in the English tongue (''Nova Foresta que lingua Anglorum'') the term for the New Forest was ''Ytene''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chambers |first=Raymond Wilson |title = Widsith: A Study in Old English Heroic Legend |publisher = Cambridge University Press |year=1912|oclc=459182809 |pages=231–241}}</ref>}} Around this period, the administrative region of "Hampshire" seems to appear - the name is attested as [[Hamwic]] and "Hamtunscir" in 755 AD<ref name="grant">{{cite book |last=Grant |first=Russell |author-link=Russell Grant |title=The Real Counties of Britain |publisher=Lennard Publishing |year=1989 |location=Oxford |page=61 |isbn=1-85291-071-2}}</ref> - and suggests that control over the [[Solent]] was the motivating factor for establishment of the settlement.

Wessex, with its capital at Winchester,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Adams |first1=Max |title=Ælfred's Britain |date=2017 |publisher=Head of Zeus Ltd |location=London |isbn=9781784080303 |pages=229–232}}</ref> gradually expanded westwards into Brythonic [[Dorset]] and [[Somerset]]. A statue in Winchester celebrates the powerful [[King Alfred]], who repulsed the Vikings and stabilised the region in the 9th century. A scholar as well as a soldier, the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]], a powerful tool in the development of the English identity, was commissioned in his reign. King Alfred proclaimed himself "King of England" in 886 AD; but [[Athelstan]] of Wessex did not officially control the whole of England until 927 AD.<ref name="CunliffeWessex" /><ref name="Pryor" /><ref name = hindley>{{cite book |last=Hindley |first=Geoffrey |date=2006 |title=A Brief History of the Anglo-Saxons |publisher=Robinson |isbn=9781845291617}}</ref><ref>Fleming, R, 2010, ''Britain After Rome: The Fall and Rise 400 to 1070''</ref>

===Middle Ages onwards===

[[File:Southamptonia Atlas.jpg|thumb|250px|Hand-drawn map of Hampshire by [[Christopher Saxton]] from 1577]]

By the Norman Conquest, [[London]] had overtaken Winchester as the largest city in England<ref name="hindley" /> and after the Norman Conquest, [[William the Conqueror|King William I]] made London his capital. While the centre of political power moved away from Hampshire, Winchester remained an important city; the proximity of the [[New Forest]] to Winchester made it a prized royal hunting forest; [[William II of England|King William Rufus]] was killed while hunting there in 1100. There were 44 [[hundred (division)|hundred]]s, covering 483 named places, recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 which are in present-day Hampshire and part of Sussex.<ref name="Domesday">{{cite web |title=Open Domesday: Hampshire |url=https://opendomesday.org/county/hampshire/ |access-date= 31 July 2019 |archive-date= 16 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190116105847/https://opendomesday.org/county/hampshire/ |url-status= live}}</ref> From the 12th century, the ports grew in importance, fuelled by trade with the continent, wool and cloth manufacture in the county, and the fishing industry, and a shipbuilding industry was established. By 1523 at the latest, the population of Southampton had outstripped that of Winchester.

[[File:UK Defence Imagery Naval Bases image 06.jpg|thumb|Portsmouth historic dockyard, 2005]]
Over several centuries, a series of [[castle]]s and [[fort]]s was constructed along the coast of the [[Solent]] to defend the harbours at Southampton and Portsmouth. These include the Roman [[Portchester Castle]] which overlooks [[Portsmouth Harbour]], and a series of forts built by [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]] including [[Hurst Castle]], situated on a sand [[spit (landform)|spit]] at the mouth of the Solent, [[Calshot Castle]] on another spit at the mouth of Southampton Water, and [[Netley Castle]]. Southampton and Portsmouth remained important harbours when rivals, such as [[Poole]] and [[Bristol]], declined, as they are amongst the few locations that combine shelter with deep water. ''[[Mayflower]]'' and ''[[Speedwell (1577 ship)|Speedwell]]'' set sail for America from Southampton in 1620.<ref>{{cite news |work=Southern Daily Echo |title=A look back at when the Mayflower and Speedwell left Southampton bound for America |url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15797810.A_look_back_at_when_the_Mayflower_and_Speedwell_left_Southampton_bound_for_America/ |date=29 December 2017 |author=Ian Crump |access-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425114437/http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/15797810.A_look_back_at_when_the_Mayflower_and_Speedwell_left_Southampton_bound_for_America/ |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[English Civil War]] (1642–1651) there were several skirmishes in Hampshire between the [[Cavalier|Royalist]] and [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian]] forces. Principal engagements were the [[Siege of Basing House]] between 1643 and 1645, and the [[Battle of Cheriton]] in 1644; both were significant Parliamentarian victories. Other clashes included the [[Battle of Alton]] in 1643, where the commander of the Royalist forces was killed in the pulpit of the parish church,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mee |first1=Arthur |title=The King's England – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight |date=1967 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |location=London |isbn=0-340-00083-X}}</ref> and the [[Siege of Portsmouth]] in 1642.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Siege of Portsmouth in the Civil War |last=Webb |first=John |year=1977 |publisher=Portsmouth City Council |isbn=0-901559-33-4}}</ref>

By the mid-19th century, with the county's population at 219,210 (double that at the beginning of the century) in more than 86,000 dwellings, agriculture was the principal industry (10 per cent of the county was still forest) with cereals, peas, hops, honey, sheep and hogs important. Due to Hampshire's long association with pigs and boars, natives of the county have been known as ''Hampshire hogs'' since the 18th century.<ref name=hog>Hampshire County Council, 2003. "[http://www.hants.gov.uk/press/2003/pr558hog.html Press Release: Hampshire's Hog has a home] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031219184618/http://www.hants.gov.uk/press/2003/pr558hog.html |date=19 December 2003 }}</ref> In the eastern part of the county the principal port was Portsmouth (with its naval base, population 95,000), while several ports (including Southampton, with its steam docks, population 47,000) in the western part were significant. In 1868, the number of people employed in manufacture exceeded those in agriculture, engaged in silk, paper, sugar and lace industries, ship building and salt works. Coastal towns engaged in fishing and exporting agricultural produce. Several places were popular for seasonal sea bathing.<ref name=Gaz1868 /> The ports employed large numbers of workers, both land-based and seagoing; ''[[RMS Titanic|Titanic]]'', lost on her maiden voyage in 1912, was crewed largely by residents of Southampton.<ref>{{cite book |last=Barratt |first=Nick |author-link=Nick Barratt |title=Lost Voices From the Titanic: The Definitive Oral History |year=2009 |page=84 |publisher=Random House |location=London |isbn=978-1-84809-151-1}}</ref>

On 16 October 1908, [[Samuel Franklin Cody]] made the first powered flight of {{cvt|400|yd|m}} in the United Kingdom at [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]], then home to the Army Balloon Factory.<ref>{{cite book |title=Army Flying |publisher=Edupub |location=Wigginton |pages=4–5}}{{full citation needed|date=December 2019}}</ref>

===Modern era===
Hampshire played a crucial role in both World Wars due to the large [[Royal Navy]] [[HMNB Portsmouth|naval base]] at Portsmouth, the army camp at [[Aldershot]], and the military [[Netley Hospital]] on Southampton Water, as well as its proximity to the army training ranges on [[Salisbury Plain]] and the [[Isle of Purbeck]]. [[Supermarine]], the designers of the [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] and other military aircraft, were based in Southampton, which led to severe bombing of the city in [[World War II]]. Aldershot remains one of the [[British Army]]'s main permanent camps. [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]] is a major centre for the aviation industry.

During World War II, the [[Beaulieu, Hampshire|Beaulieu]] estate of Lord Montagu in the New Forest was the site of several group B finishing schools for agents<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/soe_training_01.shtml |title=Training SOE Saboteurs in World War Two |last=Ross |first=Bernie |date=17 February 2011 |website=BBC |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-date=22 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222151408/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/soe_training_01.shtml |url-status=live}}</ref> operated by the [[Special Operations Executive]] (SOE) between 1941 and 1945. (One of the trainers was [[Kim Philby]] who was later found to be part of a spy ring passing information to the Soviets.) In 2005, a special exhibition was established at the Estate, with a video showing photographs from that era as well as voice recordings of former SOE trainers and agents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4349121.stm |title=Wartime school for spies revealed |website=BBC News |date=15 March 2005 |access-date=7 September 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118124016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4349121.stm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Lett2016">{{cite book |last=Lett |first=Brian |title=SOE's Mastermind: The Authorised Biography of Major General Sir Colin Gubbins KCMG, DSO, MC |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3JO0DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT155 |date=30 September 2016 |publisher=Pen and Sword |isbn=978-1-4738-6382-8 |page=155 |access-date=18 January 2020 |archive-date=28 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528114241/https://books.google.com/books?id=3JO0DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT155 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although the [[Isle of Wight]] has at times been part of Hampshire, it has been administratively independent for over a century, obtaining a [[county council]] of its own in 1890. The Isle of Wight became a full [[ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] in 1974. Apart from a shared [[Hampshire Constabulary|police force]], no formal administrative links now exist between the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, though many organisations still combine Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

In the 1970s, local government reorganisation led to a reduction in Hampshire's size; in 1974, the towns of [[Bournemouth]] and [[Christchurch, Dorset|Christchurch]] were transferred to [[Dorset]].<ref name=lga1972>{{cite book |title=Local Government Act 1972. 1972 c.70 |publisher=The Stationery Office Ltd |isbn=0-10-547072-4 |year=1997}}</ref>

==Geography==
Hampshire is bordered by [[Dorset]] to the west, [[Wiltshire]] to the north-west, [[Berkshire]] to the north, [[Surrey]] to the north-east, and [[West Sussex]] to the east. The southern boundary is the coastline of the [[English Channel]] and the [[Solent]], facing the [[Isle of Wight]]. It is the largest county in [[South East England]] and remains the third largest [[shire county]] in the United Kingdom despite losing more land than any other English county in all contemporary boundary changes. At its greatest size in 1890, Hampshire was the fifth-largest county in England. It now has an overall area of {{cvt|3700|km2|sqmi}},<ref>[http://www.itisholdings.com/downloadfile.asp?id=72] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206142438/http://www.itisholdings.com/downloadfile.asp?id=72|date=6 December 2013}}</ref> and measures about {{cvt|86|km|mi}} east–west and {{cvt|76|km|mi}} north–south.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantsmap/hantsmap/hscale.htm |title=map scales, handy facts, Hampshire |publisher= Geography Department, Portsmouth University |access-date=28 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917224936/http://www.geog.port.ac.uk/webmap/hantsmap/hantsmap/hscale.htm |archive-date=17 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Geology===
{{Main|Geology of Hampshire}}

Hampshire's geology falls into two categories. The north and centre are the county's [[downland]]s: a gently folded succession of [[sedimentary rocks]] dating from the [[Cretaceous]] and [[Palaeogene]] periods. The lower (early) Cretaceous rocks are [[sandstone]]s and [[mudstone]]s whilst those of the upper (late) Cretaceous are the various [[formation (stratigraphy)|formations]] that comprise the [[Chalk Group]]. Overlying these rocks in some areas are less consolidated Palaeogene [[clay]]s, [[sand]]s, [[gravels]] and [[silt]]s of the [[Lambeth Group|Lambeth]], [[Thames Group|Thames]] and [[Bracklesham Group]]s.<ref name=firth>{{cite book|title=Geology and Archæology of Hampshire for people who aren't geologists or archæologists|last=Firth|first=John|year=2024|publisher=London: Baffin Books|isbn=978-1-0687614-0-9}}</ref>

In the south, along the coast is the "[[Hampshire Basin]]", an area of relatively [[resistance (geology)|non-resistant]] [[Eocene]] and [[Oligocene]] [[clay]]s and [[gravel]]s which are protected from sea [[erosion]] by the [[Isle of Purbeck]], [[Dorset]], and the [[Isle of Wight]]. These low, flat lands support [[heathland]] and [[woodland]] [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]], a large area of which forms part of the [[New Forest]]. The New Forest has a mosaic of heathland, [[grassland]], [[coniferous]] and deciduous woodland habitats that host [[biodiversity|diverse wildlife]]. The forest is protected as a [[National parks of England and Wales|national park]], limiting development and agricultural use to protect the landscape and wildlife. Large areas of the New Forest are open common lands kept as a grassland [[plagioclimax]] by grazing animals, including domesticated cattle, pigs and horses, and several wild deer species. Erosion of the weak rock and sea level change flooding the low land has carved several large [[Estuary|estuaries]] and [[ria]]s, notably the {{cvt|16|km|mi}} long<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mollus.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pdf_extract/40/5/413 |title=The Intertidal Lamellibranchs of Southampton Water, With Particular Reference to Cerastoderma Edule and C. Glaucum - 40 (5): 413 |last1=Barnes |first1=R. S. K.  |publisher=Journal of Molluscan Studies |date=4 November 2010 |access-date=28 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206112436/http://mollus.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/pdf_extract/40/5/413 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Southampton Water]] and the large convoluted [[Portsmouth Harbour]]. The Isle of Wight lies off the coast of Hampshire where the non-resistant rock has been eroded away, forming the [[Solent]].

A 2014 study found that Hampshire shares significant reserves of shale oil with other neighbouring counties, totalling 4.4&nbsp;billion [[Barrel (unit)|barrels of oil]], which then Business and Energy Minister [[Michael Fallon]] said "will bring jobs and business opportunities" and significantly help with UK energy self-sufficiency. [[Hydraulic fracturing in the United Kingdom|Fracking]] in the area is required to achieve these objectives, which has been opposed by environmental groups.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/massive-oil-reserves-lie-under-commuter-belt-in-south-says-report-9424232.html |title=Massive oil reserves lie under commuter belt in South, says report |last=Prynn |first=Jonathan |date=23 May 2014 |work=[[London Evening Standard]] |page=8 |access-date=30 November 2018 |archive-date=27 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127022608/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/massive-oil-reserves-lie-under-commuter-belt-in-south-says-report-9424232.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Natural regions===
[[Natural England]] identifies a number of [[national character area]]s that lie wholly or partially in Hampshire: the [[Hampshire Downs]], [[New Forest]], [[South Hampshire Lowlands]], [[South Coast Plain]], [[South Downs]], [[Low Weald]] and [[Thames Basin Heaths]]<ref name="NE-NCAs">{{cite web |url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/englands/character/areas/southeast.aspx |title=South East and London National Character Area map |publisher=[[Natural England]] |access-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302172433/http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/englands/character/areas/southeast.aspx |archive-date=2 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Green belt===
{{further|South West Hampshire/South East Dorset Green Belt}}

[[File:South West Hampshire & South East Dorset Green Belt.svg|thumb|300px|South West Hampshire and South East Dorset green belt (shown in green)]]

Hampshire contains all its [[Green belt (United Kingdom)|green belt]] in the New Forest district, in the southwest of the county, from the boundary with Dorset along the coastline to [[Lymington]] and northwards to [[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]]. Its boundary is contiguous with the [[New Forest National Park]]. The Hampshire portion was first created in 1958.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Forest District Green Belt Study Final Report Prepared by LUC July 2016 |url=http://www.newforest.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=32070&p=0 |website=www.newforest.gov.uk |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090308/http://www.newforest.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=32070&p=0 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Its function is to control expansion in the [[South East Dorset conurbation]] and outlying towns and villages.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fawcett |first=Tony |title=Green Belts: A greener future – Campaign to Protect Rural England |url=http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/green-belts/item/1956-green-belts-a-greener-future?highlight=WyJncmVlbmJlbHRzIiwiaW4iLCJlbmdsYW5kIiwiaW4gZW5nbGFuZCJd |language=en-GB |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627232227/http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/housing-and-planning/green-belts/item/1956-green-belts-a-greener-future?highlight=WyJncmVlbmJlbHRzIiwiaW4iLCJlbmdsYW5kIiwiaW4gZW5nbGFuZCJd |archive-date=27 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Hills===
{{Main list|List of hills of Hampshire
}}

The highest point in Hampshire is Pilot Hill at {{cvt|286|m|ft}}, in the northwest corner of the county, bordering Berkshire,<ref>{{cite book |last=Bathurst |first=David |year=2012 |title=Walking the county high points of England |location=Chichester |publisher=Summersdale |isbn=978-1-84-953239-6 |pages=148–154}}</ref> and there are some 20 other hills exceeding {{cvt|200|m|ft}}. [[Butser Hill]], at {{cvt|271|m|ft}}, where the A3 crosses the [[South Downs]], is probably the best known. In the north and centre of the county the substrate is the rocks of the [[Chalk Group]], which form the [[Hampshire Downs]] and the [[South Downs]]. These are high hills with steep slopes where they border the clays to the south. The hills dip steeply forming a [[Escarpment|scarp]] onto the [[River Thames|Thames valley]] to the north, and dip gently to the south. The highest village in Hampshire at about {{cvt|240|m}} above sea level is [[Ashmansworth]],<ref>[[Ordnance Survey]]. ''[http://www.streetmap.co.uk/idld.srf?X=441552&Y=157395&A=Y&Z=115&lm=1 Streetmap/OS map showing height of Ashmansworth] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110910/http://www.streetmap.co.uk/idld.srf?X=441552&Y=157395&A=Y&Z=115&lm=1 |date=24 September 2015 }}''.</ref> located between [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]] and [[Newbury, Berkshire|Newbury]].

===Rivers===
The [[River Itchen, Hampshire|Itchen]] and [[River Test|Test]] are [[trout]] rivers that flow from the chalk through wooded valleys into Southampton Water. Other important watercourses are the [[River Hamble|Hamble]], [[River Meon|Meon]], [[Beaulieu River|Beaulieu]] and [[Lymington River|Lymington]] rivers. The [[River Avon, Hampshire|Hampshire Avon]], which links [[Stonehenge]] to the sea, passes through [[Fordingbridge]] and [[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]] and then forms the modern border between Hampshire and Dorset. The northern branch of the [[River Wey]] has its source near [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]] and flows east past [[Bentley, Hampshire|Bentley]].<ref name="weyriver.co.uk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.weyriver.co.uk/theriver |title=The River Wey and Wey Navigations Community Site |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625040403/http://www.weyriver.co.uk/theriver/ |archive-date=25 June 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[River Loddon]] rises at West Ham Farm and flows north through Basingstoke.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rivers |url=http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/your-community--district/countryside-service/countryside-sites/rivers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060228201635/http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/your-community--district/countryside-service/countryside-sites/rivers |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 February 2006 |website=Wokingham District Council |access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

===Wildlife===
[[File:Sus scrofa 1 - Otter, Owl, and Wildlife Park.jpg|thumb|[[Wild boar]] at the [[New Forest Wildlife Park]]]]
Hampshire's [[downland]] supports a [[calcareous grassland]] habitat, important for wild flowers and insects. A large area of the downs is now protected from further agricultural damage by the East Hampshire [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. The River Test has a growing number of otters as, increasingly, does the Itchen,<ref>{{cite book |title=Welcome to Winchester City Mill |publisher=National Trust}}</ref> although other areas of the county have quite low numbers. There are [[wild boar]] kept for meat<ref>{{cite news |work=Basingstoke Gazette |url=http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/regional/romsey/11217799.Wild_boar_back_in_the_Forest/?ref=rss |title=Wild boar back in the Forest |date=17 May 2014 |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010802/http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/regional/romsey/11217799.Wild_boar_back_in_the_Forest/?ref=rss |archive-date=14 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> in the [[New Forest]], which is known for its [[New Forest pony|ponies]] and herds of [[fallow deer]], [[red deer]], [[roe deer]], and [[sika deer]] as well as a small number of [[muntjac deer]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Deer |url=http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/discover/wildlife/deer/ |website=New Forest National Park Authority |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415191216/http://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/discover/wildlife/deer/ |archive-date=15 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The deer had been hunted for some 900 years until 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forestry Commission: New Forest Fact File |url=http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Hunting.pdf/$file/Hunting.pdf |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924035230/http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Hunting.pdf/$file/Hunting.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> An unwelcome relative newcomer is the [[mink]] population, descended from animals that escaped or were deliberately released from fur farms since the 1950s, which cause havoc amongst native wildlife.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Mink |url=http://www.hiwwt.org.uk/species/american-mink |website=Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust |access-date=9 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409233528/http://www.hiwwt.org.uk/species/american-mink |archive-date=9 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Comerford |first1=Cathy |title=Freed mink bring death to a forest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/freed-mink-bring-death-to-a-forest-1170769.html |access-date=15 April 2018 |work=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415192447/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/freed-mink-bring-death-to-a-forest-1170769.html |archive-date=15 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Farlington Marshes]], {{cvt|125|ha|acre}} of flower-rich grazing marsh and saline lagoon at the north end of [[Langstone Harbour]], is a nature reserve and an internationally important overwintering site for wildfowl.<ref>{{cite web |title=Farlington Marshes Wildlife Reserve |url=https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/farlington-marshes-wildlife-reserve-p60153 |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415190347/https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/farlington-marshes-wildlife-reserve-p60153 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a valley on the downs is [[Selborne]]; the countryside surrounding the village was the location of [[Gilbert White]]'s pioneering observations on [[natural history]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gilbert White Museum |url=http://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/ |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420075320/http://gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/ |archive-date=20 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hampshire's [[county flower]] is the [[Dog Rose]].<ref>[[BBC News]], 5 May 2004. ''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3684291.stm UK counties choose floral emblems] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060314235205/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3684291.stm |date=14 March 2006 }}''.</ref>

Hampshire contains two [[national park]]s; the [[New Forest]] is wholly within the county, and the [[South Downs National Park]] embraces parts of Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex; they are each overseen by a [[national park authority]].

===Climate===
Hampshire has a milder [[climate]] than most areas of the [[British Isles]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/oct/15/meteorology.uknews |title=Season of mice? How autumn lost its cool |series=The Observer |work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=2 June 2008 |last=McKie |first=Robin |date=15 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002145706/http://www.theguardian.com/science/2006/oct/15/meteorology.uknews |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> being in the far south with the climate stabilising effect of the sea, but protected against the more extreme weather of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast. Hampshire has a higher average annual temperature than the UK average at {{cvt|9.8|to|12|C|F}},<ref>Met Office, 2000. [http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif Annual average temperature for the United Kingdom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032708/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/tmean/17.gif |date=4 March 2010 }}.</ref> average rainfall at {{cvt|640|-|1060|mm}} per year,<ref>Met Office, 2000. [http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif Annual average rainfall for the United Kingdom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032633/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/rr/17.gif |date=4 March 2010 }}.</ref> and holds higher than average sunshine totals of around 1,750 hours<ref name="Englandclimate">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/england/index.html |title=Met Office:English Climate |access-date=4 August 2007 |publisher=Met Office |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070525051524/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/location/england/index.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=25 May 2007}}</ref> of sunshine per year.<ref>Met Office, 2000. [http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif Annual average sunshine for the United Kingdom] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304032747/http://www.metoffice.com/climate/uk/averages/19712000/ss/17.gif |date=4 March 2010 }}.</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = [[Southampton]], elevation 3 m, 1981–2010
|collapsed = y
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan high C = 8.4
|Feb high C = 8.6
|Mar high C = 11.1
|Apr high C = 14.0
|May high C = 17.5
|Jun high C = 20.2
|Jul high C = 22.4
|Aug high C = 22.3
|Sep high C = 19.8
|Oct high C = 15.6
|Nov high C = 11.7
|Dec high C = 8.9
|year high C = 15.1
|Jan low C = 2.9
|Feb low C = 2.6
|Mar low C = 4.1
|Apr low C = 5.7
|May low C = 9.0
|Jun low C = 11.7
|Jul low C = 13.7
|Aug low C = 13.7
|Sep low C = 11.4
|Oct low C = 8.9
|Nov low C = 5.4
|Dec low C = 3.2
|year low C = 7.7
|Jan rain mm = 81.4
|Feb rain mm = 58.3
|Mar rain mm = 60.0
|Apr rain mm = 50.7
|May rain mm = 49.0
|Jun rain mm = 50.4
|Jul rain mm = 42.0
|Aug rain mm = 50.4
|Sep rain mm = 60.4
|Oct rain mm = 93.8
|Nov rain mm = 94.0
|Dec rain mm = 89.2
|year rain mm = 779.4
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 12.2
|Feb rain days = 9.2
|Mar rain days = 10.1
|Apr rain days = 8.8
|May rain days = 8.2
|Jun rain days = 7.7
|Jul rain days = 7.4
|Aug rain days = 7.7
|Sep rain days = 8.7
|Oct rain days = 11.5
|Nov rain days = 11.5
|Dec rain days = 11.8
|year rain days = 114.7
|Jan sun = 63.3
|Feb sun = 84.4
|Mar sun = 118.3
|Apr sun = 179.8
|May sun = 212.1
|Jun sun = 211.2
|Jul sun = 221.8
|Aug sun = 207.7
|Sep sun = 148.1
|Oct sun = 113.0
|Nov sun = 76.6
|Dec sun = 52.9
|year sun = 1689.3
|source 1 = [[Met Office]] (normals)<ref name=Metoffice>{{cite web |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcp1844rg |title=Southampton W.C Climate Period: 1981–2010 |publisher=Met Office |access-date=2 December 2019 |df=dmy-all |archive-date=5 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105135100/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcp1844rg |url-status=live}}</ref> and Met Office<ref name="Regional mapped climate averages">{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html# |title=Regional mapped climate averages |publisher=Met Office |date=November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229172355/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/averages/regmapavge.html |archive-date=29 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|source 2 = Calculated from Met Office Data<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/southamptondata.txt |title=Long Term weather data |publisher=Met Office |access-date=20 March 2011 |date=May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820183254/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/southamptondata.txt |archive-date= 20 August 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box
|location = [[Southsea]], Portsmouth 1976–2006
|collapsed = y
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 9.6
|Feb high C = 8.8
|Mar high C = 10.6
|Apr high C = 13.4
|May high C = 16.8
|Jun high C = 19.4
|Jul high C = 21.8
|Aug high C = 21.8
|Sep high C = 19.3
|Oct high C = 15.8
|Nov high C = 12.0
|Dec high C = 10.0
|Jan low C = 5.1
|Feb low C = 4.3
|Mar low C = 5.4
|Apr low C = 6.4
|May low C = 9.6
|Jun low C = 12.3
|Jul low C = 15.0
|Aug low C = 15.0
|Sep low C = 12.8
|Oct low C = 10.9
|Nov low C = 7.5
|Dec low C = 5.9
|Jan precipitation mm = 65
|Feb precipitation mm = 50
|Mar precipitation mm = 52
|Apr precipitation mm = 42
|May precipitation mm = 28
|Jun precipitation mm = 40
|Jul precipitation mm = 32
|Aug precipitation mm = 43
|Sep precipitation mm = 62
|Oct precipitation mm = 81
|Nov precipitation mm = 72
|Dec precipitation mm = 80
|Jan rain days = 11.2
|Feb rain days = 9.5
|Mar rain days = 8.3
|Apr rain days = 7.6
|May rain days = 6.5
|Jun rain days = 7.4
|Jul rain days = 5.4
|Aug rain days = 6.6
|Sep rain days = 8.5
|Oct rain days = 10.9
|Nov rain days = 10.3
|Dec rain days = 11.2
|Jan sun = 67.9
|Feb sun = 89.6
|Mar sun = 132.7
|Apr sun = 200.5
|May sun = 240.8
|Jun sun = 247.6
|Jul sun = 261.8
|Aug sun = 240.7
|Sep sun = 172.9
|Oct sun = 121.8
|Nov sun = 82.3
|Dec sun = 60.5
|Jan percentsun = 26
|Feb percentsun = 31
|Mar percentsun = 36
|Apr percentsun = 49
|May percentsun = 51
|Jun percentsun = 51
|Jul percentsun = 54
|Aug percentsun = 54
|Sep percentsun = 46
|Oct percentsun = 38
|Nov percentsun = 31
|Dec percentsun = 25
|source 1 = Met Office<ref name="Regional mapped climate averages"/>
|date=October 2010
}}
{{Weather box
|location = Leckford, [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]] elevation 117m, 1971–2000, extremes 1960–2007
|collapsed = y
|metric first = y
|single line = y
|Jan record high C = 13.5
|Feb record high C = 15.4
|Mar record high C = 20.0
|Apr record high C = 25.3
|May record high C = 27.2
|Jun record high C = 33.5
|Jul record high C = 33.8
|Aug record high C = 34.7
|Sep record high C = 28.9
|Oct record high C = 24.0
|Nov record high C = 17.0
|Dec record high C = 14.9
|year record high C = 34.7
|Jan high C = 7.0
|Feb high C = 7.3
|Mar high C = 9.9
|Apr high C = 12.6
|May high C = 16.3
|Jun high C = 18.9
|Jul high C = 21.8
|Aug high C = 21.8
|Sep high C = 18.3
|Oct high C = 14.0
|Nov high C = 9.9
|Dec high C = 7.8
|year high C =
|Jan low C = 1.2
|Feb low C = 1.0
|Mar low C = 2.6
|Apr low C = 3.7
|May low C = 6.5
|Jun low C = 9.1
|Jul low C = 11.3
|Aug low C = 11.4
|Sep low C = 9.5
|Oct low C = 6.9
|Nov low C = 3.7
|Dec low C = 2.2
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = −13.9
|Feb record low C = −10.5
|Mar record low C = -8.3
|Apr record low C = −5.6
|May record low C = -2.2
|Jun record low C = 0.6
|Jul record low C = 3.3
|Aug record low C = 4.4
|Sep record low C = 1.0
|Oct record low C = −3.1
|Nov record low C = −7.5
|Dec record low C = −15.6
|year record low C = −15.6
|Jan precipitation mm = 88.07
|Feb precipitation mm = 58.81
|Mar precipitation mm = 63.31
|Apr precipitation mm = 51.93
|May precipitation mm = 50.85
|Jun precipitation mm = 59.27
|Jul precipitation mm = 42.57
|Aug precipitation mm = 59.22
|Sep precipitation mm = 69.60
|Oct precipitation mm = 84.06
|Nov precipitation mm = 82.12
|Dec precipitation mm = 94.9
|year precipitation mm =
|source 1 = KNMI<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=4&indexid=TNn&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=3&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-913333.333334&miny=-4872857.142858&maxx=820000.000000&maxy=-3572857.142857&MapSize=560%2C420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |title=Climate Normals 1971–2000 |publisher=KNMI |access-date= 3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513211411/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/mapserver/climatology.php?indexcat=4&indexid=TNn&periodidselect=1971-2000&seasonid=3&scalelogidselect=no&minx=-913333.333334&miny=-4872857.142858&maxx=820000.000000&maxy=-3572857.142857&MapSize=560,420&imagewidth=560&imageheight=420&CMD=QUERY_POINT&CMD=QUERY_POINT#bottom |archive-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|date=Mar 2011
}}
{{Weather box
|location = [[Solent]] MRSC 1981–2010
|collapsed = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 8.2
|Feb high C = 8.2
|Mar high C = 10.5
|Apr high C = 13.2
|May high C = 16.7
|Jun high C = 19.2
|Jul high C = 21.4
|Aug high C = 21.4
|Sep high C = 19.0
|Oct high C = 15.5
|Nov high C = 11.5
|Dec high C = 8.7
|Jan low C = 3.4
|Feb low C = 2.8
|Mar low C = 4.5
|Apr low C = 6.1
|May low C = 9.2
|Jun low C = 12.1
|Jul low C = 14.2
|Aug low C = 14.3
|Sep low C = 12.2
|Oct low C = 9.6
|Nov low C = 6.2
|Dec low C = 3.8
|Jan precipitation mm = 68.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 49.3
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 42.4
|May precipitation mm = 43.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 42.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 44.5
|Aug precipitation mm = 50.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 53.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 86.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 83.2
|Dec precipitation mm = 83.9
|source 1 = UK Met Office<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/solent-mrsc |title=UK Clima Solent MRSC |access-date=29 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002122741/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/solent-mrsc#?tab=climateTables |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|date=June 2013}}
{{Weather box
|location = [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]], Hampshire, UK 1981-2010
|collapsed = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 7.7
|Feb high C = 8.0
|Mar high C = 10.9
|Apr high C = 13.8
|May high C = 17.3
|Jun high C = 20.3
|Jul high C = 22.7
|Aug high C = 22.3
|Sep high C = 19.2
|Oct high C = 15.0
|Nov high C = 10.7
|Dec high C = 7.9
|Jan low C = 1.3
|Feb low C = 1.0
|Mar low C = 2.7
|Apr low C = 4.1
|May low C = 7.3
|Jun low C = 10.3
|Jul low C = 12.4
|Aug low C = 12.1
|Sep low C = 9.7
|Oct low C = 7.1
|Nov low C = 3.6
|Dec low C = 1.6
|Jan precipitation mm = 67.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 49.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 50.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 48.5
|May precipitation mm = 52.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 45.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 45.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 52.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 57.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 79.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 74.4
|Dec precipitation mm = 69.2
|Jan rain days = 11.6
|Feb rain days = 9.4
|Mar rain days = 10.4
|Apr rain days = 9.2
|May rain days = 8.9
|Jun rain days = 7.9
|Jul rain days = 7.5
|Aug rain days = 8.1
|Sep rain days = 8.3
|Oct rain days = 11.4
|Nov rain days = 11.6
|Dec rain days = 11.1
|Jan sun = 53.2
|Feb sun = 75.2
|Mar sun = 112.2
|Apr sun = 166.5
|May sun = 193.3
|Jun sun = 185.0
|Jul sun = 212.0
|Aug sun = 201.0
|Sep sun = 142.9
|Oct sun = 112.4
|Nov sun = 67.5
|Dec sun = 50.6
|source 1 = UK Met Office<ref name=Weather1>{{cite web |website=metoffice.gov.uk |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcp7wrjcg |title=Monthly Averages for Farnborough, United Kingdom |access-date=18 September 2021 |df=dmy-all |url-status=live |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918163455/https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcp7wrjcg }}</ref>
|date=September 2021
}}

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Hampshire
  |caption = Some of the larger settlements of Hampshire in red. Five settlements currently undergoing significant planned expansion in green.<ref>{{cite web |author=Thrive Architects |url=https://www.thrivearchitects.co.uk/project/hartland-village/ |title=Hartland Village |publisher=thrivearchitects.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Berkeley Group |url=https://www.berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/hampshire/fleet/hartland-village |title=Hartland Village (Official Website) |publisher=berkeleygroup.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Construction News |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/wates-scoops-75m-resi-scheme-in-hampshire-03-01-2025/#:~:text=The%20scheme%20is%20the%20first,9.5km%20north%20of%20Southampton. |title=Wates scoops £75m resi scheme in Hampshire | date=3 January 2025 |publisher=constructionnews.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Daily Echo |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5600097.whiteley-still-a-work-in-progress/ |title=Whiteley - still a work in progress! |date=19 December 2002 |publisher=dailyecho.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Portsmouth News |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/whiteley-to-gain-ps13m-as-development-of-182-houses-in-whiteley-meadows-site-approved-1338335 |title=Whiteley to gain £13m as development of 182 houses in Whiteley Meadows site approved |date=11 December 2019 |publisher=portsmouth.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Welborne Garden Village Official Website |url=https://www.welborne.co.uk/ |title=Welborne Garden Village |publisher=welborne.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38486907 |title=Garden villages: Locations of first 14 announced |work=BBC News |date=2 January 2017 |publisher=bbc.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Whitehill & Bordon Official Website |url=http://whitehillbordon.com/ |title=Whitehill + Bordon |publisher=whitehillbordon.com |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=IVL Swedish Environmental Institute |url=https://pocacito.eu/sites/default/files/Regeneration_WB.pdf |title=Whitehill & Bordon regeneration project |publisher=pocacito.eu |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=East Hampshire District Council |url=https://www.easthants.gov.uk/east-hampshire-place-making-strategy/whitehill-and-bordon-place-making |title=Whitehill and Bordon place making |publisher=easthants.gov.uk |access-date=30 March 2025 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
  |float   = right
  |width   = 370
  |places =
 {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]]}}
       |long    = -0.755
       |lat     = 51.29
       |position=top
     }}
     {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Southampton]]}}
       |long    = -1.4
       |lat     = 50.9
       |position=left
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Portsmouth]]}}
       |long    = -1.1
       |lat     =  50.8
       |position=
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Basingstoke]]}}
       |long    = -1.088
       |lat     =  51.26
       |position=left
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Winchester]]}}
       |long    = -1.31
       |lat     =  51.06
       |position=right
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]}}
       |long    = -1.48
       |lat     =  51.21
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Gosport]]}}
       |long    = -1.14
       |lat     =  50.8
       |position=left
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]]}}
       |long    = -0.974
       |lat     = 51.15
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Lymington]]}}
       |long    = -1.55
       |lat     = 50.757
     }}
    {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]]}}
       |long    = -1.79
       |lat     = 50.845
     }}
   {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Petersfield]]}}
       |long    = -0.94
       |lat     = 51.005
       |position = top
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|[[Aldershot]]}}
       |long    = -0.76
       |lat     =  51.25
       |position=left
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Waterlooville]]}}}}
       |long    = -1.03
       |lat     = 50.88
       |position= right
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Welborne, Hampshire|Welborne]]}}}}
       |long    = -1.2
       |lat     = 50.88
       |mark=Green pog.svg
       |position= bottom
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Fleet, Hampshire|Fleet]]}}}}
       |long    = -0.782
       |lat     = 51.28
       |mark=Green pog.svg
       |position= left
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Whiteley, Hampshire|Whiteley]]}}}}
       |long    = -1.25
       |lat     = 50.89
       |mark=Green pog.svg
       |position= top
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Horton Heath, Hampshire|Horton Heath]]}}}}
       |long    = -1.30
       |lat     = 50.95
       |mark=Green pog.svg
       |position= right
     }}
      {{Location map~|Hampshire
       |label   = {{bg|white|{{nowrap|[[Bordon|Whitehill-Bordon]]}}}}
       |long    = -0.86
       |lat     = 51.11
       |mark=Green pog.svg
       |position= left
     }}
 }}
''For the complete list of settlements see [[List of places in Hampshire]] and [[List of settlements in Hampshire by population]].''

Hampshire's [[county town]] is Winchester, a historic city that was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of [[Wessex]] and of England until the [[Norman Conquest]] of England. The port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth were split off as independent unitary authorities in 1997, although they are still included in Hampshire for ceremonial purposes. [[Fareham]], [[Gosport]] and [[Havant]] have grown into a [[conurbation]] that stretches along the coast between the two main cities. The three cities are all university cities, Southampton being home to the [[University of Southampton]] and [[Southampton Solent University]] (formerly Southampton Institute), Portsmouth to the [[University of Portsmouth]], and Winchester to the [[University of Winchester]] (formerly known as University College Winchester; King Alfred's College). The northeast of the county houses the [[Aldershot Urban Area|Blackwater Valley]] conurbation, which includes the towns of [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]], [[Aldershot]], [[Blackwater, Hampshire|Blackwater]] and [[Yateley]] and borders both [[Berkshire]] and Surrey.

Hampshire lies outside the [[green belt]] area of restricted development around London, but has good railway and motorway links to the capital, and in common with the rest of the south-east has seen the growth of [[dormitory town]]s since the 1960s. [[Basingstoke]], in the northern part of the county, has grown from a country town into a business and financial centre. Aldershot, Portsmouth, and Farnborough have strong military associations with the [[British Army|Army]], Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force respectively. The county also includes several [[market town]]s: [[New Alresford|Alresford]], [[Alton, Hampshire|Alton]], [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]], [[Bishop's Waltham]], [[Lymington]], [[New Milton]], [[Petersfield, Hampshire|Petersfield]], [[Ringwood, Hampshire|Ringwood]], [[Romsey]] and [[Whitchurch, Hampshire|Whitchurch]].

==Demographics==
{{see also|Immigration into Hampshire}}

===Population===
At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]]<ref>[[Office for National Statistics]] & Hampshire County Council, 2003, [http://www.hants.gov.uk/census/ Census 2001 data] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030402212034/http://www.hants.gov.uk/census/ |date=2 April 2003 }}</ref> the ceremonial county recorded a population of 1,644,249, of which 1,240,103 were in the administrative county, 217,445 were in the unitary authority of Southampton, and 186,701 were in Portsmouth. The population of the administrative county grew 5.6 per cent from the 1991 census and Southampton grew 6.2 per cent (Portsmouth remained unchanged), compared with 2.6 per cent for England and Wales as a whole. Eastleigh and Winchester grew fastest at 9 per cent each.

Southampton and Portsmouth are the main settlements within the [[South Hampshire]] conurbation, which is home to about half of the ceremonial county's population.<ref name="BUA">{{cite web |url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |title=2011 Census – Built-up areas |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] |access-date=8 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921045319/http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The larger [[South Hampshire metropolitan area]] has a population of 1,547,000.<ref name=j>{{cite web |url=http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119 |title=British urban pattern: population data |access-date=22 February 2010 |date=March 2007 |format=pdf |work=ESPON project 1.4.3 Study on Urban Functions |publisher=[[European Spatial Planning Observation Network]] |page=119 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002318/http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ESPON2006Projects/StudiesScientificSupportProjects/UrbanFunctions/fr-1.4.3_April2007-final.pdf#page=119 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

'''Cities and towns by population size:''' (2001 census)
*[[Southampton]] – 244,224
*[[Portsmouth]] – 207,100
*[[Basingstoke]] – 90,171 (town), 152,573 (borough)
*[[Gosport]] – 69,348 (town), 77,000 (borough)
*[[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]] – 64,000
*[[Waterlooville]] – 63,558
*[[Aldershot]] – 58,120
*[[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]] – 57,147
*[[Fareham]]/[[Portchester]] – 56,010 (town), 109,619 (borough)
*[[Eastleigh]] – 52,894 (town), 116,177 (borough)
*[[Havant]] – 45,435 (town), 115,300 (borough)
*[[Winchester]] – 41,420 (city), 116,600 (district)
*[[Fleet, Hampshire|Fleet]] – 32,726
*[[Petersfield]]-14,974 (town)

The table below shows the population change up to the 2011 census, contrasting the previous census. It also shows the proportion of residents in each district reliant upon lowest income and/or joblessness benefits, the national average proportion of which was 4.5 per cent (August 2012). The most populous district of Hampshire is [[New Forest District]].
{| class="wikitable"
|+ ''Population from census to census. Claimants of JSA or Income Support ([[Department for Work and Pensions|DWP]])''<ref name=ons>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Key Statistics: Population; Quick Statistics: Economic indicators] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }}. ([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] and [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 census]]) Retrieved 27 February 2015.</ref>
|-
!Unit||JSA or Inc. Supp. claimants (August 2012) % of 2011 population||JSA and Income Support claimants (August 2001) % of 2001 population||Population (April 2011)||Population (April 2001)
|-
|Hampshire	||	2.4%	||	4.3%	||	1,317,788||1,240,103
|- align=center
|colspan="4"|Ranked by district
|-
|Borough of Havant||	'''4.1%'''	||	7.2%	||	120,684	||	116,849
|-
|Borough of Gosport	||	3.7%	||	5.7%	||	82,622	||	76,415
|-
|Borough of Rushmoor	||	2.9%	||	4.1%	||	93,807	||	90,987
|-
|Borough of Basingstoke and Deane||2.6%	||	3.8%	||	167,799	||	152,573
|-
|Borough of Eastleigh	||	2.3%	||	4.0%	||	125,199	||	116,169
|-
|New Forest District	||	2.2%	||	4.7%	||	176,462	||	169,331
|-
|Borough of Fareham ||	2.0%	||	3.7%	||	111,581	||	107,977
|-
|Borough of Test Valley||	2.0%	||	3.8%	||	116,398	||	109,801
|-
|East Hampshire	District||	1.8%	||	4.0%	||	115,608	||	109,274
|-
|Winchester District||	1.7%	||	3.6%	||	116,595	||	107,222
|-
|Hart District||	'''1.3%'''	||	2.3%	||	91,033	||	83,505
|}

===Ethnicity and religion===
At the 2011 census, about 89 per cent of residents were white British, falling to 85.87 per cent in Southampton. The significant ethnic minorities were Asian at 2.6 per cent and mixed race at 1.4 per cent; 10 per cent of residents were born outside the UK. 59.7 per cent stated their religion as [[Christianity|Christian]] and 29.5 per cent as not religious. Significant minority religions were [[Islam]] (1.46 per cent) and [[Hinduism]] (0.73 per cent).<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 Census headline facts and figures |url=http://www3.hants.gov.uk/2011_census_hampshire_summary_factsheet__hf000004126622_007_.pdf |website=Hants Gov |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185813/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/2011_census_hampshire_summary_factsheet__hf000004126622_007_.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Church of England [[Diocese of Winchester]] was founded in 676AD and covers about two thirds of Hampshire and extends into Dorset.<ref>{{cite web |title=Diocese of Winchester |url=https://www.winchester.anglican.org/ |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Smaller parts of Hampshire are covered by the dioceses of [[Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth|Portsmouth]], [[Diocese of Guildford|Guildford]] and [[Diocese of Oxford|Oxford]].

The [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth]] covers Hampshire as well as the Isle of Wight and the [[Channel Islands]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Portsmouth Catholic Diocese |url=http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk |website=Portsmouth Catholic Diocese |access-date=21 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422132656/http://www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/ |archive-date=22 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Politics==
[[File:Winchester Castle.jpg|thumb|Hampshire County Council offices and Jubilee Fountain]]
[[File:Coat of arms of Hampshire County Council, England.svg|thumb|The coat of arms of Hampshire County Council]]
With the exceptions of the unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton, Hampshire is governed by [[Hampshire County Council]] based at [[Castle Hill, Winchester|Castle Hill]] in Winchester, with eleven [[non-metropolitan district]]s beneath it and, for the majority of the county, [[Parish councils in England|parish councils]] or [[town council]]s at the local level.

In the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]], nearly 55% of Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight) voted in favour of [[Brexit]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How did Hampshire vote? Full list of referendum results |url=https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/14578547.how-did-hampshire-vote-full-list-of-referendum-results/ |access-date=19 August 2020 |website=Hampshire Chronicle |date=24 June 2016 |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114115319/https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/14578547.how-did-hampshire-vote-full-list-of-referendum-results/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Gosport was the area that voted to Leave with the highest majority (64%), while Winchester was the area that voted to Remain with the highest majority (59%). Hart and East Hampshire also voted to Remain.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2016 |title=Hampshire and Isle of Wight back Brexit |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36617586 |access-date=19 August 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111181040/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36617586 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Under the [[English Devolution Bill]], Hampshire and the Isle of Wight entered the [[Devolution Priority Programme]] which may lead to a new combined authority covering Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight and an elected mayor in the spring of 2026. As part of the move, Hampshire County Council and the district councils within its area would be abolished.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hampshire County Council Fast-Tracked for Devolution Priority Programme |url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/News/20250205Devolution |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.hants.gov.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Parliament===
{{Further|Parliamentary constituencies in Hampshire}}
As of the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 General Election]], Hampshire elects 19 Members of Parliament, 10 MPs are [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]], 6 MPs are [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], and 3 are [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]].

In the 2019 General Election there were no seat changes, with the 16 Conservative constituencies and 2 Labour constituencies holding on to the same seats won or held in 2017. This is despite the Liberal Democrats gaining 57,876 more votes (an increase of 50.4%) compared to 2017, and Labour losing 72,278 votes (29.9%) compared to 2017.

At the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 General Election]], the Conservatives] won 16 seats, continuing their dominance in the county. Labour took two seats, [[Southampton Test (UK Parliament constituency)|Southampton Test]] and [[Portsmouth South (UK Parliament constituency)|Portsmouth South]].

In the 2015 general election, every Hampshire seat except Southampton Test (Labour) was won by the Conservatives.
In 2010, 14 constituencies were represented by Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs), two by the Liberal Democrats, and two by Labour. Labour represented the largest urban centre, holding both Southampton constituencies ([[Southampton Test (UK Parliament constituency)|Test]] and [[Southampton Itchen|Itchen]]). The Liberal Democrats held [[Portsmouth South (UK Parliament constituency)|Portsmouth South]] and [[Eastleigh (UK Parliament constituency)|Eastleigh]].

The Conservatives represent a mix of rural and urban areas: [[Aldershot (UK Parliament constituency)|Aldershot]], [[Basingstoke (UK Parliament constituency)|Basingstoke]], [[East Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Hampshire]], [[Fareham (UK Parliament constituency)|Fareham]], [[Gosport (UK Parliament constituency)|Gosport]], [[Havant (UK Parliament constituency)|Havant]], [[Meon Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Meon Valley]], [[North East Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Hampshire]], [[North West Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Hampshire]], [[New Forest East (UK Parliament constituency)|New Forest East]], [[New Forest West (UK Parliament constituency)|New Forest West]], [[Portsmouth North (UK Parliament constituency)|Portsmouth North]], [[Romsey and Southampton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Romsey and Southampton North]] and [[Winchester (UK Parliament constituency)|Winchester]].

At the [[2013 United Kingdom local elections|2013 local elections]] for Hampshire County Council, the Conservative Party had a 37.51 per cent share of the votes, the Liberal Democrats 21.71 per cent, the [[UK Independence Party]] 24.61 per cent and Labour 10 per cent. As a result, 45 Conservatives, 17 Liberal Democrats, 10 UKIP, four Labour and one Community Campaign councillor sit on the County Council.<ref>Hampshire County Council, 2013. [http://election.hants.gov.uk/hwstate.aspx?id=175&year=2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506025129/http://election.hants.gov.uk/hwstate.aspx?id=175&year=2013|date=6 May 2013}}.</ref> [[Southampton City Council]], which is a separate Unitary Authority, has 28 Labour, 16 Conservative, 2 Councillors Against the Cuts and 2 Liberal Democrat councillors.<ref>Southampton City Council, 2013. {{cite web |url=http://www.southampton.gov.uk/council-partners/councillorsrepresent/ |title=Councillors and MPS - Southampton City Council |access-date=12 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728184003/http://www.southampton.gov.uk/council-partners/councillorsrepresent/ |archive-date=28 July 2013}}.</ref> [[Portsmouth City Council]], also a UA, has 25 Liberal Democrat, 12 Conservative and 5 Labour councillors.<ref>Portsmouth City Council, 2013. {{cite web |url=http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/1120.html |title=Councillors by area (Ward) |access-date=4 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817074308/http://portsmouth.gov.uk/yourcouncil/1120.html |archive-date=17 August 2013}}.</ref>

Hampshire has its own County Youth Council (HCYC)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hcycweb.net/ |title=Hampshire County Youth Council |publisher=Hcycweb.net |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=3 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215103954/http://www.hcycweb.net/ |archive-date=15 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and is an independent youth-run organisation. It meets once a month around Hampshire and aims to give the young people of Hampshire a voice. It also has numerous district and borough youth councils including Basingstoke's "Basingstoke & Deane Youth Council".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bdycweb.net/ |title=Basingstoke & Deane Youth Council |publisher=Bdycweb.net |access-date=3 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723023413/http://www.bdycweb.net/ |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Emergency services==
*[[Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service]]
*[[South Central Ambulance Service]]
*[[South East Coast Ambulance Service]]
*[[Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance]]
*[[Hampshire Constabulary]]
*[[British Transport Police]]
*[[HM Coastguard]]

==Economy==
[[File:Eastleigh railway works.jpg|thumb|Eastleigh railway works]]
Hampshire is one of the most [[Wealth|affluent]] counties in the country, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of [[Pound Sterling|£]]29&nbsp;billion, excluding Southampton and Portsmouth. In 2018, Hampshire had a GDP per capita of £22,100, comparable with the UK as a whole.<ref name="Hants2018">{{cite web |title=Hampshire Key Facts & Figures |url=http://documents.hants.gov.uk/Economy/ZCardHantswebFinal.pdf |website=hants.gov.uk |access-date=26 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114004235/http://documents.hants.gov.uk/Economy/ZCardHantswebFinal.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Portsmouth and Winchester have the highest job densities in the county; 38 per cent of workplace workers in Portsmouth commuted into the city in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire County Council: 2011 Commuter Flows |url=http://documents.hants.gov.uk/Economy/PortsmouthCommuterFlows.pdf |access-date=17 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418093049/http://documents.hants.gov.uk/Economy/PortsmouthCommuterFlows.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Southampton has the highest number of total jobs and commuting both into and out of the city is high. The county has a lower level of [[unemployment rate|unemployment]] than the national average, at 1.3 per cent when the national rate is 2.1 per cent, as of February 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Economic Statistics |url=http://www3.hants.gov.uk/figures-economics.htm |website=Hants.gov.uk |access-date=26 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327023633/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/figures-economics.htm |archive-date=27 March 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> About one third are employed by large firms. Hampshire has a considerably higher than national average employment in high-tech industries, but average levels in knowledge-based industry. About 25 per cent of the population work in the [[public sector]]. Tourism accounts for some 60,000 jobs in the county, around 9 per cent of the total.<ref name=Hants2018 />

One of the principal companies in the high tech sector is [[IBM]] which has its research and development laboratories at [[IBM Hursley|Hursley]] and its UK headquarters at [[Cosham]].

Many rural areas of Hampshire have traditionally been reliant on agriculture, particularly [[dairy farming]], although the significance of agriculture as a rural employer and rural wealth creator has declined since the first half of the 20th century and agriculture currently employs 1.32 per cent of the rural population.

The extractive industries deal principally with sand, gravel, clay and hydrocarbons. There are three active oilfields in Hampshire with one being also used as a natural gas store. These are in the west of the county in the ''Wessex Basin''. The ''Weald Basin'' to the east has potential as a source of shale oil but is not currently exploited.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan |url=http://documents.hants.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste/consultation-2015/OilandGasDevelopmentinHampshireBackgroundStudyv1June2015.pdf |website=hants.gov.uk |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005202837/http://documents.hants.gov.uk/mineralsandwaste/consultation-2015/OilandGasDevelopmentinHampshireBackgroundStudyv1June2015.pdf |archive-date=5 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The New Forest area is a national park, and tourism is a significant economic segment in this area, with 7.5&nbsp;million visitors in 1992.<ref>New Forest District Council, n.d. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20050527172449/http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/moreinfo/students/students_.htm Tourism questions and answers]."</ref> The South Downs and the cities of Portsmouth, Southampton, and Winchester also attract tourists to the county. [[Southampton Boat Show]] is one of the biggest annual events held in the county, and attracts visitors from throughout the country. In 2003, the county had a total of 31&nbsp;million day visits, and 4.2&nbsp;million longer stays.<ref>Hampshire County Council, United Kingdom Tourism Survey & GB Leisure Day Visits Survey, 2004. "[http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/tourism/facts.html Tourism Facts and Figures] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030910060347/http://www.hants.gov.uk/rh/tourism/facts.html |date=10 September 2003 }}."</ref>

[[File:Azamara Quest.jpg|thumb|Southampton Docks]]
The cities of Southampton and Portsmouth are both significant ports, with [[Port of Southampton|Southampton Docks]] handling a large proportion of the national container freight traffic as well as being a major base for cruise liners, and [[Portsmouth Harbour]] accommodating one of the [[Royal Navy]]'s main bases and a terminal for cross-channel ferries to France and Spain. The docks have traditionally been large employers in these cities, though mechanisation of cargo handling has led to a reduction in manpower needed.

The [[Marine Accident Investigation Branch]] has its principal offices in Southampton,<ref>{{cite web |title=MAIB |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-accident-investigation-branch |website=gov.uk |access-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421160720/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-accident-investigation-branch |archive-date=21 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> while the [[Air Accidents Investigation Branch]] has its head office in [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]] in [[Rushmoor|Rushmoor District]] .<ref name="AddInfo">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070730195606/http://www.aaib.gov.uk/reporting_an_accident/additional_information.cfm?view=print& Additional information]." Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Retrieved on 2 May 2010. "Air Accidents Investigation Branch Farnborough House Berkshire Copse Road Aldershot Hampshire GU11 2HH"</ref> The [[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] has one of its two offices at Farnborough.<ref name=Newhome>{{cite web |url=http://www.raib.gov.uk/about_us/index.cfm#a4 |title=About – Rail Accident Investigation Branch – GOV.UK |access-date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007013005/http://www.raib.gov.uk/about_us/index.cfm#a4 |archive-date=7 October 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport==
{{See also|Transport in South Hampshire}}
===Air===
[[Southampton Airport]], with an accompanying main line [[Southampton Airport Parkway railway station|railway station]], is an international airport situated in the [[Eastleigh (borough)|Borough of Eastleigh]], close to [[Swaythling]] in the city of Southampton. The [[Farnborough Airshow|Farnborough International Airshow]] is a week-long event that combines a major trade exhibition for the [[Aerospace industry|aerospace]] and [[defence industry|defence]] industries with a public [[airshow]]. The event is held in mid-July in even-numbered years at [[Farnborough Airport]]. The first five days (Monday to Friday) are dedicated to trade, with the final two days open to the public.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/ |title=Farnborough International Airshow 2018 |publisher=Farnborough International Limited |date=7 April 2018 |access-date=7 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422200518/https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/ |archive-date=22 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sea===
Cross-[[English Channel|channel]] and cross-[[Solent]] ferries from Southampton, Portsmouth and Lymington link the county to the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and continental Europe.

===Rail===
The [[South West Main Line]], (operated by [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]]) from {{stnlink|London Waterloo}} to {{stnlnk|Weymouth}}, runs through Winchester and Southampton, and the [[Wessex Main Line]] from {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} to {{stnlnk|Portsmouth Harbour}} also runs through the county, as does the [[Portsmouth Direct Line]] and the [[West of England line]].

===Road===
[[File:M3 at Basingstoke - geograph.org.uk - 16459.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=busy six lane highway crossing rural hilly landscape|The M3 near Basingstoke]]

The [[M3 motorway (Great Britain)|M3 motorway]] bisects the county from the southwest, at the edge of the New Forest near Southampton, to the northeast, on its way to connect with the [[M25 Motorway|M25 London orbital motorway]]. At its southern end it links with the [[M27 motorway|M27 south coast motorway]]. The construction of the [[Twyford Down]] cutting near Winchester caused major controversy by cutting through a series of ancient trackways and other features of archaeological significance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1994/dec/02/twyford-down |title=Twyford Down |author=John Denham |work=[[Hansard|Parliamentary Debates (Hansard)]] |date=2 December 1994 |access-date=18 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227185236/http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1994/dec/02/twyford-down |archive-date=27 December 2012 |url-status=live|author-link=John Denham (politician)}}</ref> The M27 serves as a bypass for the major conurbations and as a link to other settlements on the south coast. Other important roads include the [[A27 road|A27]], [[A3 road|A3]], [[A31 road|A31]], [[A34 road|A34]], [[A36 road|A36]] and [[A303 road|A303]].

The county has a high level of car ownership, with only 15.7 per cent having no access to a private car compared with 26.8 per cent for England and Wales. The county has a lower than average use of trains (3.2 compared with 4.1 per cent for commuting) and buses (3.2 to 7.4 per cent), but a higher than average use of bicycles (3.5 to 2.7 per cent) and cars (63.5 to 55.3 per cent).<ref>Hampshire County Council, 2005. [http://www.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/ Facts and Figures website] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050406023323/http://www.hants.gov.uk/factsandfigures/ |date=6 April 2005 }}.</ref>

===Inland waterways===
Hampshire formerly had several canals,<ref name=Gaz1868 /> but most of these have been abandoned and their routes built over. The [[Basingstoke Canal]] has been extensively restored, and is now navigable for most of its route, but the [[Salisbury and Southampton Canal]], [[Andover Canal]] and [[Portsmouth and Arundel Canal]] have all disappeared. Restoration of the [[Itchen Navigation]], linking Southampton and Winchester, primarily as a wildlife corridor, began in 2008.

==Education==
{{Main list|List of schools in Hampshire|List of further education colleges in Hampshire
}}

The school system in Hampshire (including Southampton and Portsmouth) is comprehensive. Geographically inside the Hampshire [[Local Education Authority|LEA]] are 24 independent schools, Southampton has three and Portsmouth has four. Few Hampshire schools have sixth forms, which varies by district council. There are 14 further education colleges within the Hampshire LEA, including six graded as 'outstanding' by [[Ofsted]]: [[Alton College]], [[Barton Peveril Sixth Form College]], [[Brockenhurst College]], [[Farnborough College of Technology]], [[Farnborough Sixth Form College]], [[Peter Symonds College]], [[Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke|Queen Mary's College]], and [[South downs college|South Downs College]].

Notable independent schools in the county include [[Winchester College]], allegedly England's oldest [[Public school (United Kingdom)|public school]], founded in 1382, and the pioneering co-educational [[Bedales School]], founded in 1893.

The four universities are the [[University of Southampton]], [[Solent University]], the [[University of Portsmouth]], and the [[University of Winchester]] (which also had a small campus in [[Basingstoke]] until 2011). Farnborough College of Technology awards [[University of Surrey]]-accredited degrees.

==Health==
{{Main|Healthcare in Hampshire}}

There are major [[National Health Service|NHS]] hospitals in each of the cities, and smaller hospitals in several towns,<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire County Council: Public Health in Hampshire |url=https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/publichealth |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109202520/https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/publichealth |archive-date=9 November 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a number of private hospitals. Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust coordinates public health services,<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust |url=http://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/services/ |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409110028/http://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/services/ |archive-date=9 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> while Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust coordinates hospital services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |url=https://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/ |access-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407235916/http://www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk/ |archive-date=7 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Culture, arts and sport==
===Flag===
[[File:County Flag of Hampshire.svg|thumb|The flag of the historic county of Hampshire]]
The [[Flag of Hampshire]] was officially added to the [[Flag Institute]]'s registry of flags on 12 March 2019 after receiving support from [[Hampshire County Council]], the [[Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire]], and many local organisations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flag Institute |date=12 March 2019 |url=https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/2019/03/hampshire-flag-day-recognised/ |access-date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507205258/https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/2019/03/hampshire-flag-day-recognised/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The county day and flag day is 15 July, St Swithun's Day; [[St Swithun]] was an [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[bishop of Winchester]].

===Music===
Hampshire is the home of many orchestras, bands, and groups. Musician [[Laura Marling]] hails originally from Hampshire. The Hampshire County Youth Choir is based in [[Winchester]], and has had successful tours of Canada and Italy in recent years. The Hampshire County Youth Orchestra (with its associated [[chamber orchestra]] and [[string orchestra]]) is based at [[Thornden School#Thornden Hall|Thornden Hall]].

===Museums===
[[File:Milestones Museum.jpg|thumb|[[Milestones Museum]], Basingstoke]]
There are a number of local museums, such as the City Museum in Winchester, which covers the Iron Age and Roman periods, the Middle Ages, and the Victorian period over three floors. A "Museum of the Iron Age" is in [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]. [[Solent Sky]] Museum depicts the story of aviation in Hampshire and the Solent region, with more than 20 airframes from the golden age. Southampton's [[Sea City Museum]] is primarily focused on the city's links with the ''Titanic''. Basingstoke's [[Milestones Museum]] records the county's industrial heritage. There are also a number of national museums in Hampshire. The [[National Motor Museum, Beaulieu|National Motor Museum]] is located in the New Forest at [[Beaulieu, Hampshire|Beaulieu]]. The Royal Navy Museum is part of [[Portsmouth Historic Dockyard]]. Other military museums include The [[Submarine Museum]] at Gosport, the [[Royal Marines Museum]], originally in Southsea but was due to transfer to the Dockyard in 2019, the [[Aldershot Military Museum]], the [[D-Day Story]] by [[Southsea Castle]] and the [[Museum of Army Flying]] at Middle Wallop. Several museums and historic buildings in Hampshire are the responsibility of the Hampshire Cultural Trust.<ref>{{cite web |title=Venues |url=http://www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/venues |website=Hampshire Cultural Trust |access-date=25 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012253/http://www.hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk/venues |archive-date=26 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Specialist museums include the [[Gilbert White]] museum in his old home in [[Selborne]], which also includes The Oates Collection, dedicated to the explorer [[Lawrence Oates]].

===Annual events===
The New Forest and Hampshire County Show takes place annually at the end of July; 2020 will mark its centenary.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire County Council: Visit Hampshire: The New Forest and Hampshire County Show |url=https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/the-new-forest-and-hampshire-county-show-p707691 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104211121/https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/the-new-forest-and-hampshire-county-show-p707691 |url-status=live}}</ref> The largest gathering of Muslims in Western Europe, [[Jalsa Salana]], takes place near Alton, with 37,000 visitors in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands of Ahmadis meet in rural Hampshire |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21725792-some-37000-people-gathered-farm-worldwide-convention-ahmadiyya |date=3 August 2017 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215050037/https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21725792-some-37000-people-gathered-farm-worldwide-convention-ahmadiyya |archive-date=15 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ancient festival of [[Beltane|Beltain]] takes place at [[Butser Ancient Farm]] in the spring.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hampshire County Council: Visit Hampshire: Beltain Festival |url=https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/beltain-festival-at-busters-ancient-farm-p1281311 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418230311/https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/whats-on/beltain-festival-at-busters-ancient-farm-p1281311 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Buildings and protected monuments===
There are 187 Grade I [[listed building]]s in the county, ranging from statues to farm buildings and churches to castles,<ref>{{cite web |title=British Listed Buildings: Grade I Listed Buildings in Hampshire |url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire/grade-i#.WtdD6CMrIl4 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418230632/https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire/grade-i#.WtdD6CMrIl4 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> 511 buildings listed Grade II*,<ref>{{cite web |title=British Listed Buildings: Grade II*Listed Buildings in Hampshire |url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire/grade-iix |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418230017/https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire/grade-iix |archive-date=18 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> and many more listed in the Grade II category.<ref>{{cite web |title=British Listed Buildings: Listed Buildings in Hampshire |url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire#.WtdD0yMrIl4 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418230705/https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/hampshire#.WtdD0yMrIl4 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[National Heritage List for England|National Heritage]]'s figures include the Isle of Wight, listing 208 Grade I buildings, 578 Grade II*and 10,372 Grade II, 731 scheduled monuments, two wrecks, 91 parks and gardens, and a battlefield: the Battle of Cheriton, which took place in 1644, near Winchester.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Heritage: Hampshire |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/results?q=Hampshire&searchtype=nhle |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419122003/https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/results?q=Hampshire&searchtype=nhle |archive-date=19 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sport===
[[File:Pavilion stands.JPG|thumb|left|[[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]] cricket ground in 2010, currently sposored by [[Utilita]]]]
The game of [[cricket]] was largely developed in south-east England, with one of the first teams forming at [[Hambledon, Hampshire|Hambledon]] in 1750, with the [[Hambledon Club]] creating many of cricket's early laws. [[Hampshire County Cricket Club]] is a [[first-class cricket|first-class]] team. The main county ground is the [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)]], currently sponsored by Utilita;<ref>{{cite web |title=Utilita Bowl becomes new name of Hampshire home |url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/utilita_bowl_becomes_new_name_hampshire_home.html |website=The Cricketer |access-date=28 July 2024}}</ref> located in [[West End, Hampshire|West End]], it has hosted [[One Day International|one day internationals]] and, following redevelopment, hosted its first [[Test cricket|test match]] in 2011.

The world's oldest surviving bowling green is the [[Southampton Old Bowling Green]], which was first used in 1299.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A311482 |access-date=6 January 2009 |author=BBC Online |title=Southampton Old Bowling Green, Southampton, England |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611021631/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A311482 |archive-date=11 June 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Hampshire's relatively safe waters have allowed the county to develop as one of the busiest sailing areas in the country, with many [[yacht]] clubs and several manufacturers on the Solent. The Hamble, Beaulieu and Lymington rivers are major centres for both competitive and recreational sailing, along with [[Hythe, Hampshire|Hythe]] and [[Ocean Village, Southampton|Ocean Village]] marinas. The sport of [[windsurfing]] was invented at [[Hayling Island]] in the south east of the county.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slcc.strath.ac.uk/scotslawcourse/ip/ip/patent/windsurf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031211083750/http://slcc.strath.ac.uk/scotslawcourse/ip/ip/patent/windsurf.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 December 2003 |title=Windsurfing International Inc. v Tabur Marine (GB) Ltd. (1985) RPC 59 |work=SLCC – Scots Law Courseware |publisher=The [[University of Strathclyde]] |access-date=20 June 2010}}</ref>
[[File:The South Stand at Fratton Park - geograph.org.uk - 6315559.jpg|thumb|[[Fratton Park]] football ground, Portsmouth, South Stand, 2019]]
Hampshire has several [[Football Association|association football]] teams, including [[EFL Championship]] sides [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], and [[National League (English football)|National League]] sides [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]], [[Eastleigh F.C.|Eastleigh]] and [[Havant & Waterlooville F.C.|Havant & Waterlooville]]. Portsmouth and Southampton have traditionally been [[South Coast derby|fierce rivals]]. Portsmouth won the [[FA Cup]] in 1939 and 2008 and the [[Football League]] title in 1949 and 1950. Southampton won the FA Cup in 1976 and reached the final in 1900, 1902, and 2003, as well as finishing second in the Football League in 1984. [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] were members of the Football League from 1932 until they folded in 1992. They were succeeded by Aldershot Town, who in 2008 were crowned the [[Conference Premier]] champions and promoted to the Football League but were relegated back to the Conference at the end of the 2012–13 season. Hampshire has a number of [[Non-League football|Non League]] football teams. [[Bashley F.C.|Bashley]], [[Gosport Borough F.C.|Gosport Borough]] and [[A.F.C. Totton|AFC Totton]] play in the [[Southern Football League Premier Division]], and [[Sholing F.C.|Sholing]] and [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]] play in the [[Southern Football League]] Division One South and West.

[[Thruxton Circuit]], in the north of the county, is Hampshire's premier motor racing circuit, with a karting circuit; there are other karting circuits at Southampton and Gosport.<ref>{{cite web |title=Visit Hampshire: Driving experiences |url=https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/activities-and-sport/driving |access-date=22 April 2018 |archive-date=23 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423102115/https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/things-to-do/activities-and-sport/driving |url-status=live}}</ref> The other main circuit was the [[Ringwood Raceway]] at Matchams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Future of Ringwood raceway hangs in the balance as officers review plans |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23295314.future-ringwood-raceway-remains-uncertain-council-set-decide/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Bournemouth Echo |date=5 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Lasham Airfield]], near Alton, is a major centre for [[gliding]], hosting both regional and national annual competitions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lasham Gliding Society |url=https://www.lashamgliding.com |website=Lasham Gliding |access-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032156/https://www.lashamgliding.com/ |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Media===
====Television====
[[File:Front window of Hampshire Chronicle newspaper, England, 1999.jpg|thumb| Former ''[[Hampshire Chronicle]]'' office in Winchester, {{Circa|1999}}]]
The county's television news is covered by [[BBC South Today]] from its studios in Southampton and [[Meridian Broadcasting|ITV Meridian]] from a studio in Whiteley, though both [[BBC London]] and [[ITV London]] can be received in northern and eastern parts of the county. A local independent television station, ''That's Hampshire'', started transmitting in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=That's Hampshire |url=http://www.thats.tv/hampshire/ |website=That's TV |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413185914/http://www.thats.tv/hampshire/ |archive-date=13 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====Radio====
[[BBC Local Radio]] for the county is provided by [[BBC Radio Solent]], [[BBC Radio Berkshire]] (covering [[Basingstoke]] and [[Andover, Hampshire|Andover]]) and [[BBC Radio Surrey]] (covering [[Aldershot]], [[Farnborough, Hampshire|Farnborough]] and [[Fleet, Hampshire|Fleet]]). County-wide commercial radio stations include [[Heart South]], [[Capital South]], [[Easy Radio South Coast]], [[Nation Radio South Coast]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio South]]. There are many community radio stations for local communities across the county, such as [[Unity 101]], [[Voice FM 103.9]], and [[Andover Radio]]. The [[University of Southampton]] and the [[University of Portsmouth]] have campus-based student radio stations [[Surge Radio]] and [[Pure FM (Portsmouth)|Pure FM]] respectively, with students at Winchester's [[Peter Symonds College]] creating programming for Outreach Radio through the enrichment society of Symonds Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-01 |title=Symonds Radio {{!}} OUTREACH RADIO - Your Truly Local Radio Station serving Hampshire & surrounding areas. |url=https://www.outreachradio.co.uk/symonds-radio/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

====Press====
Southampton and Portsmouth support daily newspapers; the ''[[Southern Daily Echo]]'' and ''[[The News (Portsmouth)|The News]]'' respectively. The ''[[Basingstoke Gazette]]'' is published three times a week. Weekly papers include the ''[[Hampshire Chronicle]]'', which is one of the oldest newspapers in the country.<ref name="Pressgazette">{{cite magazine |date=April 2007 |url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/all-change-in-the-hampshire-chronicle-newsroom/ |title=All change in the ''Hampshire Chronicle'' Newsroom |magazine=Press Gazette |df=dmy-all |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=18 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118144403/https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/all-change-in-the-hampshire-chronicle-newsroom/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Main list|List of notable people from Hampshire
}}

Possibly the most notable resident was the [[Duke of Wellington]], who lived at [[Stratfield Saye House]] in the north of the county from 1817.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wellington: A Personal History |first=Christopher |last=Hibbert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ZnnnUQu6cAC&pg=PT220 |access-date=26 December 2011 |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-00-740694-4 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131134330/https://books.google.com/books?id=3ZnnnUQu6cAC&pg=PT220&dq |url-status=live}}</ref> An eminent Victorian, who made her mark and "came home" to Hampshire for burial at [[East Wellow]] was [[Florence Nightingale]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Around Historic Hampshire |last=Wintle |first=Colin |publisher=Midas Books |year=1977 |isbn=0-85936-092-X}}</ref>

Hampshire's [[literature|literary]] connections include the birthplace of authors [[Jane Austen]], [[Wilbert Awdry]] and [[Charles Dickens]], and the residence of others, such as [[Charles Kingsley]] and [[Mrs Gaskell]]. Austen lived most of her life in Hampshire, where her father was rector of [[Steventon, Hampshire|Steventon]], and wrote all of her novels in the county. [[Alice Liddell]], also known as Alice Hargreaves, the inspiration for Alice in [[Lewis Carroll]]'s 1865 novel ''[[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]]'', lived in and around [[Lyndhurst, Hampshire]] after her marriage to Reginald Hargreaves, and is buried in the graveyard of St Michael and All Angels Church in the town.<ref name="nfp">{{cite web |url=http://www.newforestparishes.com/page8/page2/lyndhurst.html |title=New Forest Parishes |publisher=New Forest Parishes |access-date=22 March 2014 |archive-date=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128100032/http://www.newforestparishes.com/page8/page2/lyndhurst.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Hampshire also has many [[visual art]] connections, claiming the painter [[John Everett Millais]] as a native, and the cities and countryside have been the subject of paintings by [[L. S. Lowry]] and [[J. M. W. Turner]]. Selborne was the home of naturalist [[Gilbert White]]. Journalist and social critic [[Christopher Hitchens]] was born into a [[Royal Navy|naval]] family in [[Portsmouth]]. Broadcasters [[Philippa Forrester]], [[Amanda Lamb]] and [[Scott Mills]] also are from the county. American actor and gameshow host, [[Richard Dawson]], was born and raised here. [[Richard St. Barbe Baker]], founder of the [[International Tree Foundation]] and responsible for the planting of over two billion trees was born in West End.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Hampshire|South East England|England|United Kingdom|Europe}}
{{cols|colwidth=26em}}
*[[Business in Hampshire]]
*[[Custos Rotulorum of Hampshire]]—Keepers of the Rolls
*[[Hampshire (UK Parliament constituency)]]—Historical list of MPs for Hampshire constituency
*[[High Sheriff of Hampshire|List of High Sheriffs of Hampshire]]
*[[List of churches in Hampshire]]
*[[List of English and Welsh endowed schools (19th century)#County of Southampton]]
*[[Places of interest in Hampshire]]
*[[Recreational walks in Hampshire]]
{{colend}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Bullen, Michael et al. (2010) ''The Buildings of England: Hampshire (Winchester and the North)''. Yale. {{ISBN|978-0-300-12084-4}}.
* {{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Hampshire |volume=12 |pages=902–905 }}
* Draper, Jo (1990). ''Hampshire''. Wimborne: Dovecote Press. {{ISBN|0-946159-82-3}}.
* ''Pigot & Co.'s Atlas of the Counties of England''. London: J Pigot & Co., 1840.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://www.hants.gov.uk/ Hampshire County Council website]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120073706/https://www.hants.gov.uk/ |date=20 January 2019 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120907195225/http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0 Images of Hampshire] at the [[English Heritage Archive]]
* [https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/HAM/?q=big%2Feng%2FHAM%2F Further historical information and sources on GENUKI]

{{Geographic Location
|title     = '''Neighbouring counties'''
|Centre    = Hampshire
|North     = [[Berkshire]]
|Northeast = [[Berkshire]]
|East      = Surrey, [[West Sussex]]
|Southeast = [[English Channel]]
|South     = [[Isle of Wight]]
|Southwest = [[English Channel]]
|West      = Wiltshire, [[Dorset]]
|Northwest = [[Wiltshire]]
}}
{{Hampshire}}
{{England counties}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hampshire| ]]
[[Category:Counties of England established in antiquity]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan counties]]
[[Category:South East England]]