Harnham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harnham is a suburb of the cathedral City of Salisbury in Wiltshire, though there has probably been some form of human habitation in the area since the Iron Age. It consists of two wards: West and East Harnham, which currently have a combined population of around 7,300[1]. [1]
Harnham lies to the south of Salisbury and is linked to the city by road via the Ayleswade bridge in East Harnham, originally constructed across the River Avon in 1244, and by foot via the Town Path across the 'historic and important landscape' [2]of the Harnham Water Meadows in West Harnham. The meadows lie between two branches of the River Nadder and extend into the outskirts of the city itself. They are part of an extensive irrigation system of floated water meadows, dating from the mid-seventeenth century. Now a Site of Special Scientific Interest (Site Name: East Harnham Meadows) they are still used for grazing and were voted the Best View in Britain by Country Life magazine in 2002. The meadows were made famous in John Constable's painting ‘Salisbury Cathedral - A View from the Water Meadow’. The meadows are managed by the Harnham Water Meadows Trust [2] and owned by the Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral. [3]
In the 13th century Salisbury sited its new Cathedral on the flat fertile plain encircled by the River Avon and protected by Harnham Hill; a chalk escarpment which rises steeply to the south. Harnham Slope comprises an area of woodland on the northern slope of Harnham Hill, including the West Harnham Chalk Pit a 2.8 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. Harnham Slope is now managed as a public amenity space which, from its highest point, gives fine views across Harnham to the city and the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral spire.
The Parish of Harnham has two churches. St George's in West Harnham, dating from Norman times and the mid-19th century Church of All Saints in East Harnham. A Methodist Church was also built in West Harnham in the 1950s to cope with the growing demands of the local population.
Harnham also boasts several listed buildings among them the Old Mill Hotel: dating from the 12th century this Grade I listed building still has some details around its doors and windows dating back to 1250. The building was converted in the 16th century from ecclesiastical use to Wiltshire's first paper mill when the River Nadder was diverted to flow under it. The mill race can still be seen via a viewing window in the hotel restaurant.
Local education is provided by Harnham Infant and Junior Schools and recreational amenities include riverside walks, a thriving lawn tennis club and pitches for both local cricket and football clubs. Accommodation is available at a number of local hotels and bed & breakfasts making the area popular for both UK and overseas visitors alike.
