Warsash

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Map sources for Warsash at grid reference SU493062

Warsash is a village in southern Hampshire, UK, situated at the mouth of the River Hamble. Boating plays an important part in the village's economy, and the village has a sailing club. It is also home to Warsash Maritime Academy, part of Southampton Solent University, which provides training for Merchant Navy Officers from around the world.

Warsash is in the borough of Fareham, and is part of the Fareham parliamentary constituency.

Warsash was a small timber and fishing port at the mouth of the River Hamble, and also a landing-place for the Hamble-Warsash ferry - an important link in a historic route between Portsmouth and Southampton. The area became notable in the nineteenth century for its strawberry growing.

At the crossroads in the centre of the village there is an unusual clocktower built c.1900, an example of Warsash's Edwardian building and prosperity, when people came from miles around for crab and lobster and strawberry teas. Hook was of earlier importance, as a 'dockyard' in the Hundred Years War; it later became The Hook Estate of the Hornby family - The Hook being destroyed by fire early this century.

The parish church St Mary's dates from 1871. The vicar Andrew Norris lives in the newly built vicarage with his wife and family. The previous vicarage site on Osborne Road has since been developed and new houses erected. In 2000 local sculptor Ian G Brennan was commissioned to produce a bas-relief carving to be fitted above the entrance to the vestry. The finished piece is made of lime-wood and shows various landmarks of the village and a large dove of peace.

The approach to the church (Church Road) was previously an undeveloped laurel avenue. Today many of the hedges have been replaced with fences or walls but several are flourishing. At the end of the road the mounting block still survives, at the site of the old avenue gates.