Harnham
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 http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/. There is also a Harnham (village) in Northumberland.
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' 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 http://www.salisburywatermeadows.org.uk and owned by the Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral
.
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 built in West Harnham in the 1950s to cope with the growing demands of the local population.
Harnham 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. Apart from the Old Mill, other local hostelries include The Rose and Crown (hotel) and The Grey Fisher. There is also a social club adjacent to the football pitch below Harnham Slope and there are community halls close to both Parish churches.
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, though there has probably been some form of human habitation in the area since the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
. It consists of two wards: West and East Harnham, which currently have a combined population of around 7,300 http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/. There is also a Harnham (village) in Northumberland.
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
River Avon, Hampshire
The River Avon is a river in the south of England. The river rises in the county of Wiltshire and flows through the city of Salisbury and the county of Hampshire before reaching the English Channel through Christchurch Harbour in the county of Dorset....
in 1244, and by foot via the Town Path across the 'historic and important landscape' of the Harnham Water Meadows in West Harnham. The meadows lie between two branches of the River Nadder
River Nadder
The River Nadder is one of the chalk stream rivers of southern England, much sought after by fly fishermen because of its clear waters and abundance of brown trout. It is one of the main tributaries of the River Avon, rising from a number of springs and small streams at Donhead St. Mary in south...
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
East Harnham Meadows
East Harnham Meadows is a 17.29 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire, notified in 1995.-Source:* -External links:*...
) 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
John Constable
John Constable was an English Romantic painter. Born in Suffolk, he is known principally for his landscape paintings of Dedham Vale, the area surrounding his home—now known as "Constable Country"—which he invested with an intensity of affection...
's painting ‘Salisbury Cathedral - A View from the Water Meadow’. The meadows are managed by the Harnham Water Meadows Trust http://www.salisburywatermeadows.org.uk and owned by the Trust and the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral, formally known as the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England, considered one of the leading examples of Early English architecture....
.
River Avon, Hampshire
The River Avon is a river in the south of England. The river rises in the county of Wiltshire and flows through the city of Salisbury and the county of Hampshire before reaching the English Channel through Christchurch Harbour in the county of Dorset....
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
West Harnham Chalk Pit
West Harnham Chalk Pit is a 2.8 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire, notified in 1971.Now commonly used as by BMX and MTB enthusiasts as a place to exercise their skill on the many formed jumps.-Source:...
a 2.8 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
. 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 built in West Harnham in the 1950s to cope with the growing demands of the local population.
Harnham 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
River Nadder
The River Nadder is one of the chalk stream rivers of southern England, much sought after by fly fishermen because of its clear waters and abundance of brown trout. It is one of the main tributaries of the River Avon, rising from a number of springs and small streams at Donhead St. Mary in south...
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
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
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. Apart from the Old Mill, other local hostelries include The Rose and Crown (hotel) and The Grey Fisher. There is also a social club adjacent to the football pitch below Harnham Slope and there are community halls close to both Parish churches.