Shawford, Hampshire
| Shawford | |
| Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 The Bridge pub, Shawford | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU470247 |
| Location: | 51°1’13"N, 1°19’52"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Winchester |
| Postcode: | SO21 |
| Dialling code: | 01962 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Winchester |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Winchester |
| Website: | comptonshawford-pc.gov.uk |
Shawford is a village in the midst of Hampshire, sitting halfway between the City of Winchester to the north and Chandler's Ford to the south, on the west bank of the River Itchen. Immediately to the north-west, sundered from Shawford by the unforgiving path of the M3 motorway, is Shawford. Across the river and is meadows to the north-east sits Twyford.
Shawford has a railway station, on the South West Main Line.
This village is a notable for having the longest railway viaduct in Hampshire, known as Hockley Railway Viaduct, which is over 2,000 feet long and 40 feet high. Disused since 1966, the viaduct was initially threatened with demolition when the M3 motorway was proposed but after much protest it was incorporated into the scheme.
Leaning against the south edge of the village street is Shawford Down, a hill squashed between the motorway and the east bank of the River Itchen.
About the village
Immediately south-west of Shawford is a small hill, Shawford Down. This area is noted for its rich variety of habitats and the grazed pasture supports a wealth of flora and fauna, including notable insects and wildflowers.
On film, television and media
Shawford appeared in the final ever episode of the BBC sitcom 'One Foot in the Grave', Things Aren't Simple Any More, as the location for Victor Meldrew's death.[1][2]
The village is referred to in Robyn Hitchcock's song "Winchester".[3]
Shawford railway station was featured in a 1974 film starring Sophia Loren, a remake of Brief Encounter, as was Winchester station (though most filming took place at Brockenhurst). It caused great excitement in the village; a large crowd watched the actress being filmed getting out of a car on the forecourt.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Shawford, Hampshire) |
References
- Webber, Richard (2006). The Complete One Foot in the Grave. London: Orion. ISBN 978-0-7528-7357-2.
