Discover Eastleigh, Hampshire

Eastleigh, Hampshire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Michaels_Church,_Basingstoke.jpg
Author: Peter Facey


Eastleigh is the main town in Eastleigh borough, in Hampshire, England. It is on the River Itchen, which is famous for fly fishing.

Human habitation in the Eastleigh area goes back as much as two thousand years. Discovery of Roman remains in the area provides proof that the Romans were here. Among the artifacts included a Roman lead coffin discovered in 1908.

The present town was established during the Anglo-Saxon period. It was originally written as East Leah in the chronicles of AD 932. The "East" in the name is indicative of its location relative to the settlement of Baddesley, while "Leah" is an ancient Anglo-Saxon word meaning a clearing in the forest. The town was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Estleie.

Eastleigh was known as Eastley until the 19th century, when it was chosen to be a rail transportation hub. The village and neighboring Barton were merged to form one parish. When the parish church was built, local novelist Charlotte Yonge, who donated £500 towards the building fund, was given the honors of choosing a name for the new parish. She chose Eastley, but having it spelled Eastleigh. And that was how the name Eastleigh was first used.

All Saints' Church, Eastleigh: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:All_Saints%27_Church,_Eastleigh_-_geograph.org.uk_-_478934.jpg
Author: Peter Facey

Visiting Eastleigh

Eastleigh is easily reached from London by taking the M3 motorway and turning out at Junction 13.

Places of Interest in Eastleigh

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