About Hampshire

With a population of over one and a half million and nestling on the picturesque south coast of England is the county of Hampshire. The county is bordered by the counties of Berkshire, Dorset, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire and is centred around the county town of Winchester, although Southampton and Portsmouth are also important residential and business hubs as well as being two of the country's biggest and busiest ports.

Historically the county was a mainly rural area, primarily founded on dairy farming, but in recent times this sector has shrunk while tourism and hi-tech industries have flourished to make Hampshire one of the country's more affluent counties.

Best known by many holiday-makers for its sleepy seaside towns, Hampshire also boasts a long and rich maritime tradition with Portsmouth's historic docks playing host to ships of naval battles past and present. For those of a rambling persuasion the county offers not only the tranquility of the New Forest within its bounds, but also part of the stunning South Downs, inspiration for poets and artists alike. Both the Downs and the New Forest are National Park areas and, as such, are havens for plant- and wild-life with a variety of habitats for each.

Just off the Hampshire coast across the Solent lies the Isle of Wight, a popular holiday spot, which is the home of 'Cowes Week', an annual festival of all things sailing with thousands of boats, from the amateur sailor to the big professional crews, taking part. The cream of world sailing is there, this year's guest of honour was Dame Ellen McArthur.

Set, as it is, in such beautiful scenery Hampshire has been both home and inspiration to many great novelists and artists over the centuries. Jane Austen was born in the county, her father being a local rector, and Charles Dickens was also born and raised in Hampshire. Painters too have been drawn to the county's scenery and bustling atmosphere, which have been immortalised in works by J.M.W. Turner and L.S. Lowry.

Hampshire plays host to a number of famous sporting clubs including the county's cricket team, at present captained by legendary Australian spin-bowler Shane Warne. Portsmouth F.C. have been playing in the Premiership in recent years, as had Southampton F.C. until the end of last season when they were relegated, and the two teams have what is generally regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in football.

Hampshire's main transport links are: the M3 and M27 motorways to London and the south coast respectively for drivers, Southampton Airport for the European traveller and the South West Main Line for trains to the rest of the country.

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