Bishopstoke
| Bishopstoke | |
| Hampshire | |
|---|---|
 Beach on the Itchen by Bishopstoke | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU472189 |
| Location: | 50°58’4"N, 1°19’40"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 9,974 (2011) |
| Post town: | Eastleigh |
| Postcode: | SO50 |
| Dialling code: | 023 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Eastleigh |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Eastleigh |
Bishopstoke is a village in southern Hampshire. It is to be found about a mile east of Eastleigh town centre, on the eastern bank of the River Itchen, whose streams and meadows narrowly separate it from that expanding town. The village adjoins Fair Oak on the east, and all together may be deemed part of the 'Greater Southampton' urban area.
History
The village is mentioned in a royal charter of the year 948 when King Eadred, granted land at "Stohes" to Aelfric, a Thegn.
Bishopstoke is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
About the village
- Main article: Itchen Navigation
The Itchen Valley Navigation is a canal between Winchester and Southampton, completed in 1710 and in use until 1869. Much of it runs through Bishopstoke, including a sluice in use until the closure.[1]
Stoke Park Woods
Bordering the village to the north are the Stoke Park Woods, covering about 512 acres. The area contains 61 per cent woodland and 39 per cent arable. Its many plant species include rare quaking grass (Briza media). Originally these woods were owned by the Bishop of Winchester. King of England hunted them in 1205. In 1540 they were licensed by King Henry VIII as a fenced deer hunt.
The woods were bought by the Forestry Commission in 1948 and are now community woodland managed to produce wood for paper pulp and timber.
Local groups have been set up to oppose council plans for a new housing development, arguing that such development would destroy the inter-woodland countryside and significantly damage the ancient woodland around Stoke Park, including Upper Barn, Crowdhill copses, Bishopstoke and Fair Oak Local Green Space.[2]
Popular sites include the locally popular 'Eastleigh Falls', a semi-natural rapidly flowing chalk stream that supports a variety of locally rare plant and animal species. The site has been recognised as important habitat for Northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus).
Bishopstoke still retains many buildings dating from the 18th century, although the village is expanding and now has a number of newer built residential and commercial premises. It has effectively become divided into Old Bishopstoke and New Bishopstoke, heading roughly West to East, reflecting the recent housing requirements within the area.
Churches
- Church of England:
- St Mary's
- St Paul's
- Evangelical: Bishopstoke Evangelical Church
- Methodist: Bishopstoke Methodist
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bishopstoke) |
References
- ↑ Course, Edwin: 'The Itchen Navigation': Southampton Field Club (Proceedings for the year 1967)
- ↑ Groups.
- Escombe, F. Dorothy (1935). Bygone Bishopstoke. Winchester: Wykeham Press.