Chandler’s Ford is like a well-engineered machine. It works smoothly, runs well and does not break down.
It is serviced thoroughly by Eastleigh Borough Council; traffic flows are fluid and it has good bus services and a railway station.
The shops here are more than adequate with three supermarkets (Co-operative Food, Asda, and Waitrose), and two shopping precincts (Central Precinct and Fryern Arcade). There are recreational facilities, nature conservancy areas, woodland and lakes for walks.
Chandler’s Ford buildings
Guide books mention castles, monasteries, cathedrals and ancient ruins. We have none and even Pesvner, that prolific chronicler of buildings in British towns could only mention the churches St. Boniface and Edward the Confessor which he describes as ‘simple’.
Since his time English Heritage has identified four worthwhile sites for listing as Grade II. Ford Cottages, part of Fortune Court; Zion Hill Farmhouse, an early 19th century timber framed house; a thatched early 19th century cottage in Cuckoo Bushes Lane and Hiltonbury Farmhouse and cottage with ornamental tiles and Flemish Bond bricks.
A millennium ago
One claim to history is that the corpse of William II, William Rufus, passed through on the way to Winchester Cathedral. It is said that yew trees were planted along the route to commemorate the event, whether in celebration or sadness we are not certain.
Some of the yew trees are said to be still living. This is possible as some yew trees can survive up to 1600 years but their average life is 400-600 years.
Modern times
Modern developments include the Fryern and Central precincts and the library, the latter by the Hampshire County Council architect, Sir Colin Stansfield Smith being of some architectural distinction.
We can all agree that the area works well. Access is good and people can circulate comfortably and there is car parking. Chandler’s Ford has excellent schools with playing fields.
Thornden School has Thornden Hall, a concert hall and theatre. There are community centres at The Hilt, The Ritchie Hall and The Dovetail Centre.
While there may be no buildings of award winning merit, the housing stock is good and relatively modern. Residential areas are pleasing on the eye especially in springtime when the cherry trees, mimosa, almond, rhododendrons and azaleas are all in blossom.
Chandler’s Ford was formerly a forest and trees have been preserved wherever possible.
Chandler’s Ford has industrial estates providing employment and useful facilities including large warehouses for furniture, building materials and even a renal dialysis unit. The office estate off Templars Way is one of the most attractive anywhere.
Whatever you think is missing from Chandler’s Ford: bingo hall, airport, hospital, cinema or football team, you can find in nearby Eastleigh, Southampton or Winchester. This applies to parking meters also.
One meets Londoners who think Chandler’s Ford must be irretrievably parochial but we residents can get into central London much quicker than many of them.
What would be a guide book entry for Chandler’s Ford?
What would be a guide book entry for Chandler’s Ford? Set the challenge by Janet, I had to have a go.
To say the best thing to come out of Chandler’s Ford is the slip road onto the M3 would not be true. An old 1950’s American guide book said, about Southampton, “If your ship docks in Southampton, take a cab to Winchester.”
I have tried to give a picture of Chandler’s Ford; it is not a place for tourists although we would welcome them if they came. It is a place for good living.
What would you add to the Chandler’s Ford Guide Book? Send you comments, please.
Hi Mike. Great post, showing that Chandler’s Ford has lots to offer. I don’t live in Chandler’s Ford – I’m just down the road in Fair Oak.
Just in case it’s of interest, there is some statistical information about Chandler’s Ford on the Hampshire Hub in the Area Profiles. There are separate profiles for the parish and the east and west wards: Hampshire Hub | Area profiles search Chandler’s Ford.
It’s the first version of area profiles, and there will lots of improvements in the coming months.
If you’re not familiar with Hampshire Hub, there’s a blog post about it at Public Beta of the ‘new’ Hampshire Hub – Hampshire Hub.
Hope that’s of some interest.
Thank you Mark for such useful information. I’ve visited Hampshire Hub before – such a valuable platform under your leadership. The Hub is clear, focused, and the design fits the purposes. Thank you for making data so accessible for us.
I’m also very impressed with your work in Open Data Camp UK.
Please continue to share more of your work with us. Thank you.
Hi Janet. My pleasure – I’m so glad you’re finding Hampshire Hub useful, and thank you for your kind comments. It’s a team effort and Eastleigh Borough Council are also part of the partnership.
Actually, would you be interested in writing a guest post on the Hampshire Hub some time about how you are using / intend to make use of the hub?
best wishes, Mark
Thank you for the invitation. Give me some time.
For the purpose of this site, I’m keen to explore how data can be used in public domain. This includes the use of historical images. A year ago, in your post you mentioned British Library released one million images to Flickr Commons, Images of Historic Hampshire – thanks to the British Library. This openness surely will improve research and collaboration. I would love to see in Hampshire Hub we could access the data that is currently held by the Council and some organisations (or charities).
One key role of the hub is for us to understand the make-up of our society. The available data help inform and is key for decision-making.
Thanks Janet. No hurry, and only if you want to write something. That’s really useful what you’ve said here already – I’ll follow up with the Hub partners. Many thanks, mark
Thanks for that information, Mark. No surprises but it is good to have a number on things. Seems that I know more than the expected number of non-English born residents.
Thanks Mike. We’ll be adding more in the way of local data as the hub develops. I meant to add that I love the choice of Chandler’s Ford Lakes in Hiltingbury as the main image in your post. Really nice shot.
And another thing. From leaving the house to arriving in an hotel in central Paris – 3 hours 30 minutes with no hassle. Flybe from Southampton to Orly, Paris.
I visited Belgium a few months ago on a coach, and was surprised that the traffic was so smooth.
I was more surprised that no one checked my passport. There was no borders. I’m not an EU citizen, and it made me feel weird entering 2 countries without being checked.
My passport was checked on my return in France. The check point was quiet and the immigration officer was friendly.
Anyone with information about the origin, meaning of Malibres as in Malibres Copse/Malibres Road?