Bishop's Waltham

Bishop's Waltham is a town at the source of the River Hamble, positioned between Winchester and Portsmouth, with a high street filled with independent shops and listed buildings. The place has a typical layout with residential areas surrounding the central business zone.

The settlement began in 640 AD with the building of a church and took its name from Saxon words 'wald' meaning forest and 'ham' meaning settlement. The palace was later pulled down following orders from Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War.

The remains of the palace stand in the middle of town and remind people of the place's link to medieval church power. Local residents and visitors often view these ruins as a symbol of the town's identity.

The town center is easy to reach by bus, with services connecting multiple surrounding areas. Visitors should allow time for a walk through the main streets and explore the different routes at a relaxed pace.

Many buildings throughout the town contain stones and materials from the original palace that was demolished during the civil conflict. These reused elements remain part of the character of local buildings today.

Location: City of Winchester

Operator: Bishop’s Waltham Parish Council

Shares border with: Upham

Website: http://hants.org.uk/bishopswalthamparishcouncil

GPS coordinates: 50.95360,-1.21180

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:18