Bishop's Waltham
Bishop's Waltham (or Bishops Waltham) is a medieval market town situated at the source of the River Hamble in Hampshire, England. It has a foot in the South Downs National Park and is located at the midpoint of a long-established route between Winchester and Portsmouth. It is home to the ruins of Bishop's Waltham Palace, a Scheduled Ancient Monument under English Heritage management, and a well-preserved high street with many listed buildings which now house independent shops.
| Bishop's Waltham | |
|---|---|
| Market town | |
Bishop's Waltham High Street | |
Bishop's Waltham Location within Hampshire | |
| Population | 6,723 (2011 Census) |
| OS grid reference | SU554174 |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region |
|
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Southampton |
| Postcode district | SO32 |
| Dialling code | 01489 |
| Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | South Central |
| UK Parliament |
|
Bishop's Waltham's long history includes a roll call of Medieval and Tudor kings and queens who visited the town to stay at the palace. The name of the town is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words: "wald" (forest) and "ham" (settlement).
Modern day Bishop's Waltham has a population of over 6,723 and is the largest settlement in the Winchester district outside the city itself. It is home to an infant and junior school.