Bedhampton

The Village of Old Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire

The Trust properties are made attractive by the tranquil and beautiful surroundings of the village of Old Bedhampton, which is in the Borough of Havant, Hampshire, England. It is located at the northern end of Langstone Harbour and at the foot of the eastern end of Portsdown Hill.

A footpath runs for 1400yds (1.3km) from the village following the stream, ‘Bedhampton Spring’ in the middle of the village at Brookside to the shore-side at Langstone Harbour.

Early mentions of Bedhampton stretch back to the ninth century, and the village was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Bedhampton Historical Collection is housed in The Elms and has many artefacts and information about Bedhampton.

Modern Bedhampton has a railway station, with regular services to Portsmouth, Brighton, and London, and less frequent services to Southampton, Bristol, and South Wales. The A27 and the A3(M) pass through the south-west part of Bedhampton.

See more on the village's own website here .

It makes a very pleasant walk to go around the old village and witness first hand the historic delights. A member of the Manor Trust's Bedhampton Historical Collection (Nigel Gossop) has devised a route for a walking tour to see the vilage.

That guide can be see and downloaded here

The Location of the Village

The Village is a Conservation Area: PDF

There is ‘A Brief history of Bedhampton’ to be found here

St Thomas’s Church

The village church in the Bedhampton Parish of St Thomas the Apostle.

There has been a church in Bedhampton since 1086. The present parish church, St Thomas the Apostle in Old Bedhampton, dates from the 12th century. The oldest parts of St Thomas Church - the Chancel Arch and the lower parts of the South and West Walls are dated circa 1140 and although there are no accurate records of the original dedication, this is traditionally put at 1132 AD. The Church was extended in the 14th Century, and again in the late 19th Century, when the North Aisle and Vestry were added. Two impressive yews grow close to the church.

Listed Buildings

The Manor House dates from C17and The Elms has a Grade 2 ‘star’ Listed Building status. Other listed buildings in the village are Bidbury House, The Rectory, Manor Cottage, Spring Lawn and the Old Mill House.

The Old Mill House is a charming 18th Century grade II listed building on the edge of the village. The property is situated between a 3-acre lake and a tidal stream and it was in this house in 1819 John Keats finished his poem "The Eve of St. Agnes" and here in 1820 he spent his last night in England.

There are many walls that form part of the Conservation Area and many of the trees are an important retained feature contributing to the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the village. The Garden wall to the Manor House itself is ‘Listed.’ The wall has a doorway in it and this leads to the area known as Bidbury Mead, and from the doorway there is a footpath being a short cut through to Bedhampton Road with its local shops, bus stops and railway station.

Village Activities and Bidbury Mead

The village has an active community that promotes the preservation of the Conservation Zone, variously under threat of development as is always predictable in modern Southern England.

In February 2018 a petition was raised aginst a specifc development threat in the village and with the objective of obtaining up to date definitions of Council policy on Conservation zones - as in 'to be preserved for the future or not.'

A petition of 1,700 signatures was presented to the Mayor to form part of the Council's plan for the whole area.

The Manor Trust hosts three major events in the village during the year; the Art Exhibition is held on the last week-end in May, the Garden Party is held early in August and the Coffee Morning with Christmas 'Bazaar' at the end of November. These events are held at The Elms, with its Waterloo Room in Lower Road. The villagers and many others come and support the charity's fundraising.

To the south of Bedhampton Road is Bidbury Mead, a large tree-ringed recreation ground that borders onto Old Bedhampton and is immediately adjacent to the Manor House garden bounded by its wall, and the area around St Thomas the Apostle parish church.

The pathway from Bidbury Mead to the Bedhampton Road area has recently been transformed. The fencing has been replaced, new lighting has been installed, and a carved wooden entrance sign has been created giving the entrance a welcoming feel. Two interpretation boards mapping the area and giving detailed historical information has been installed.

Bidbury Mead is also home to:

Bedhampton Mariners Cricket Club (There is Sunday cricket in the summer).
In winter the Bedhampton Ladies Football team plays.
Bedhampton Bowling Club has a traditional flat green and a modern clubhouse with catering facilities. All standards of play are catered for, including beginners. Club coaches are available to assist.

Bidbury Mead W.I.

The Bidbury Mead W.I. gives a very warm welcome to new residents in the village.

Bidbury Mead W.I. was formed in 1977.

Their meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are at 7.30 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Church Centre, Belmont Grove, Bedhampton, Havant. PO9 3PT.

New members and visitors are always welcome to attend our meetings.
There is disabled access to our hall.

Bedhampton Summer Show

The Bedhampton Summer Show is held on Bidbury Mead in July

Links

About Us
The Elms
The Lodge
The Village
Museum

Fundraising
Contact Us
News
The Waterloo Room