# Havant: Full Reference > Local news and community guide for Havant, Hampshire. A historic market town at the head of Langstone Harbour, with a bustling town centre, good rail links and easy access to the South Downs. ## Areas ### Havant Town Centre Havant town centre is the commercial and civic heart of the borough, built around the historic crossroads where East Street, West Street, North Street and South Street meet. This junction has been the centre of Havant life since the medieval period, when the town held a market charter. The Pallant, ... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/havant-town-centre ### Bedhampton Bedhampton lies to the west of Havant town centre and is one of the older settlements in the area, with a recorded history stretching back well before the Domesday Book. The village core around Bedhampton Road and the old church of St Thomas retains a quiet, semi-rural character, though much of the ... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/bedhampton ### Leigh Park Leigh Park is a large housing estate to the north of Havant, built in the late 1940s and 1950s by Portsmouth City Council to rehouse families displaced by wartime bombing and slum clearance. The estate was one of the largest municipal housing developments in post-war England and dramatically changed... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/leigh-park ### Warblington Warblington lies to the south-east of Havant town centre and is historically a separate and much older settlement. The parish church of St Thomas a Becket at Warblington has Saxon origins and stands in a churchyard that overlooks the harbour shore. Beside the church are the fragmentary ruins of Warb... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/warblington ### Langstone Langstone is a small waterside hamlet on the western edge of the Havant area, perched on the shore of Langstone Harbour. The settlement is tiny, consisting of a handful of houses, the Royal Oak pub, and the striking Langstone Mill, a former tide mill that stands at the water's edge and is one of the... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/langstone ### Denvilles Denvilles is a residential area to the east of Havant town centre, stretching towards the Emsworth boundary. The area is characterised by a mix of inter-war and post-war housing, with some larger detached properties and bungalows giving the streets a comfortable, suburban feel. Denvilles is generall... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/denvilles ### Brockhampton Brockhampton is a residential area to the north-east of Havant town centre, lying between the town and the A27 dual carriageway. The area was largely developed in the mid-twentieth century with a mix of semi-detached houses, bungalows and some detached properties. Brockhampton Lane is the principal ... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/brockhampton ### Stockheath Stockheath is a residential neighbourhood to the south of Havant town centre, between the built-up area and the harbour shore. The area includes a mix of post-war housing, with some older properties closer to the town centre. Stockheath Common, a small area of open land, provides a green break in th... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/stockheath ### New Lane Area The New Lane area covers the residential streets to the east of the town centre, centred on New Lane itself and the streets branching off it. This is one of the more established residential parts of Havant, with a mix of Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war properties alongside some later development.... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/new-lane-area ### Park Road Area The Park Road area lies to the north of Havant town centre and includes the residential streets around Park Road, Prospect Lane and the approaches to Leigh Park. The area has a mixed character, with older housing closer to the town centre and more uniform mid-century development further north. Park ... URL: https://www.havant.news/areas/park-road-area ## Guides ### Restaurants in Havant Havant has a reasonable spread of restaurants for a market town of its size, with options concentrated around the town centre streets and a few more tucked into the surrounding areas. The dining scene... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/restaurants ### Cafes in Havant Havant's cafe scene is rooted in the practical needs of a busy market town. The town centre has several cafes serving hot drinks, breakfasts, sandwiches and light lunches at sensible prices. These are... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/cafes ### Pubs in Havant Havant has a solid selection of pubs for a Hampshire market town, with a mix of traditional locals, historic inns and community pubs spread across the town and its surrounding areas. The pub scene is ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/pubs ### Takeaways in Havant Havant has a good range of takeaway food outlets covering the standard cuisines that most people want on a Friday evening. The main concentration is along East Street and the surrounding town centre s... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/takeaways ### Sunday Lunch in Havant Sunday lunch is a well-observed tradition in Havant, and the pubs and restaurants serving roast dinners are well patronised through the autumn and winter months in particular. The choice is reasonable... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/sunday-lunch ### Supermarkets in Havant Havant is well served by supermarkets, with the major chains all represented within easy reach of the town centre and the residential areas. For a town of its size, the provision is generous, and most... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/supermarkets ### Shops in Havant Havant town centre has a functional shopping offer that serves the everyday needs of the local community. The main retail areas are East Street, West Street and The Springs shopping centre, with addit... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/shops ### Charity Shops in Havant Havant town centre has a strong cluster of charity shops, as is typical of market towns across southern England where rising rents and online competition have changed the retail mix. The charity shops... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/charity-shops ### Train Services from Havant Havant railway station is one of the best-connected stations on the south Hampshire coast, sitting at the junction of two important rail routes. The Portsmouth Direct Line provides services to London ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/train-services ### Bus Services in Havant Havant is served by a network of local bus routes connecting the town to the surrounding areas, with Stagecoach operating most of the services. The main bus stops are in the town centre, near The Spri... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/buses ### Cycling in Havant Havant has some of the best cycling infrastructure in south Hampshire, anchored by the Billy Trail, which provides a flat, traffic-free route from Havant station through Langstone and across the harbo... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/cycling ### Parking in Havant Havant has several public car parks serving the town centre, managed by Havant Borough Council. The main car parks are located around The Springs shopping centre and the surrounding streets, providing... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/parking ### Roads and Driving around Havant Havant sits at the intersection of several important road routes, giving it strong connections to Portsmouth, Chichester, London and the wider south coast. The A27 dual carriageway runs along the nort... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/roads ### GP Surgeries in Havant Havant has several GP surgeries providing NHS primary care services to the town and surrounding areas. The practices are spread across the borough, with surgeries in the town centre, Bedhampton, Leigh... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/gp-surgeries ### Dentists in Havant Havant has dental practices offering both NHS and private treatment, though finding an NHS dentist currently accepting new patients can be difficult. The shortage of NHS dental provision is a problem ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/dentists ### Mental Health Services in Havant Mental health services in Havant are provided through a combination of NHS primary care, specialist secondary services, voluntary organisations and private practitioners. The provision reflects the na... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/mental-health ### Pharmacies in Havant Havant is well served by pharmacies, with branches distributed across the town centre, Leigh Park, Bedhampton and the residential areas. The provision includes both national chains and independent pha... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/pharmacies ### Primary Schools in Havant Havant has a good number of primary schools serving the town and its constituent areas, providing education for children from reception age through to year six. The schools are a mix of community scho... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/primary-schools ### Secondary Schools in Havant Havant has secondary schools serving students from year seven through to year eleven, with some providing sixth-form education through to year thirteen. The schools serve the town and the wider area, ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/secondary-schools ### Havant and South Downs College Havant and South Downs College is the principal provider of further education in the Havant borough, offering A-levels, BTECs, T-levels, apprenticeships and adult learning programmes across campuses i... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/college ### Housing Market in Havant The Havant housing market covers a wide range of property types and prices, from the affordable terraces of Leigh Park to the comfortable detached houses of Denvilles. This breadth makes Havant access... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/housing-market ### New Build Housing in Havant Havant has seen new residential development in recent years, with housing sites across the borough delivering new homes to meet the area's growth. The borough council's local plan allocates land for h... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/new-builds ### Renting in Havant The rental market in Havant is active and serves a broad range of tenants, from young professionals and students to families and older residents. The diversity of the housing stock, from Leigh Park's ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/renting ### Community Groups in Havant Havant has an active community and voluntary sector, with groups and organisations covering everything from local history and conservation to youth work and support for vulnerable residents. The commu... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/community-groups ### Churches and Places of Worship in Havant Havant has a variety of churches and places of worship serving the different religious communities in the town. The Christian churches are the most numerous, with Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/churches ### Staunton Country Park Staunton Country Park is the largest and most varied green space in the Havant borough, covering approximately 1,000 acres on the northern edge of the built-up area. The park occupies the former groun... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/staunton-country-park ### Langstone Harbour and Wildlife Langstone Harbour is one of the most important wildlife sites on the south coast of England, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar wetland of inte... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/langstone-harbour-nature ### Parks and Green Spaces in Havant Havant has a reasonable provision of parks and green spaces for a town of its size, ranging from the major resource of Staunton Country Park to small pocket parks and playing fields within the residen... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/parks-green-spaces ### Gardening in Havant Gardening is a popular pastime across the Havant area, supported by the mild south coast climate, the fertile soils of the coastal plain and a strong tradition of home growing. The combination of reas... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/gardening ### Football in Havant Football is the most popular participatory and spectator sport in the Havant area, with clubs operating at levels from the semi-professional National League South down to Sunday league and youth footb... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/football ### Cricket in Havant Cricket has a long tradition in the Havant area, with clubs providing the opportunity to play the summer game at levels from competitive league cricket to friendly, social fixtures. Havant Cricket Clu... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/cricket ### Running in Havant Running is popular in the Havant area, with a Parkrun, running clubs, and a good selection of routes that take advantage of the flat coastal plain, the harbour paths and the nearby South Downs. Havan... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/running ### Swimming in Havant Swimming is available in Havant through the leisure centre pool and, for those willing to travel, through the beaches and open-water swimming spots along the south coast. Havant Leisure Centre provide... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/swimming ### The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre is Havant's principal cultural venue, providing a programme of live music, theatre, comedy, film, exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. The centre is locat... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/spring-arts-centre ### Local History of Havant Havant's history stretches back at least two thousand years, with the natural springs that give the town its name having attracted human activity since the Roman period. The springs at Homewell, in th... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/local-history ### Warblington Castle and Medieval History Warblington is the most historically significant site in the Havant borough, with a story that connects this quiet harbour-side parish to some of the great dramas of English history. The ruins of Warb... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/warblington-history ### The Hayling Billy Railway The Hayling Billy is the affectionate name given to the branch railway line that connected Havant to Hayling Island from 1867 to 1963. The line, its diminutive engines and its scenic harbour crossing ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/hayling-billy ### The Springs of Havant The natural springs at Havant are the geological and historical foundation of the town, providing the clean, reliable water supply that attracted settlement to this particular point on the Hampshire c... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/havant-springs ### Recycling and Waste Collection in Havant Waste collection and recycling in Havant are managed by Havant Borough Council, which provides regular kerbside collections for household waste, dry recycling and garden waste. The service operates on... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/recycling ### Flooding and Coastal Risk in Havant Havant's location at the head of Langstone Harbour, on low-lying coastal plain, means that flooding is a real and recurring risk for parts of the town and surrounding area. The combination of tidal su... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/flooding ### Air Quality in Havant Air quality in Havant is generally good by national standards, benefiting from the coastal location, the prevailing south-westerly winds that disperse pollutants, and the absence of heavy industry in ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/air-quality ### Libraries in Havant Havant Library, located in the town centre, is the principal public library serving the Havant area. The library is managed by Hampshire County Council Library Service and provides free access to book... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/libraries ### Post Office Services in Havant Post office services in Havant are available through branches in the town centre and across the residential areas. The post office network has contracted over the years, with some branches closing as ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/post-office ### Tradespeople and Home Services in Havant Finding reliable tradespeople is a perennial concern for homeowners in Havant, as it is everywhere. The town and surrounding area have a reasonable supply of plumbers, electricians, builders, decorato... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/tradespeople ### Vets in Havant Havant and the surrounding area have veterinary practices providing care for domestic pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals. The practices offer routine services such... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/vets ### Estate Agents in Havant Havant has several estate agents covering the local property market, with offices in the town centre and a presence on the major online portals. The agents handle sales and lettings across the borough... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/estate-agents ### Hairdressers and Barbers in Havant Havant has a good selection of hairdressers and barbers for a town of its size, with salons and barbershops concentrated in the town centre and additional options in the residential areas. The range c... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/hairdressers ### Dog Walking in Havant Havant is an excellent area for dog owners, with a variety of walking routes that take advantage of the harbour shore, the country park, the Billy Trail and the green spaces within the town. The flat ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/dog-walking ### Life in Leigh Park Leigh Park is the largest residential area within the Havant borough and one of the biggest post-war housing estates in England. Built from the late 1940s to rehouse families displaced by the wartime ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/leigh-park-community ### Farm Shops and Local Produce near Havant Havant sits on the boundary between the urban south coast strip and the agricultural countryside of Hampshire and West Sussex. While the town itself is built up, the farmland of the Meon Valley, the S... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/farm-shops ### Breakfast Spots in Havant Havant's breakfast options lean firmly towards the traditional. The cafes on East Street and around the town centre open early and serve full English breakfasts to workers, shoppers and commuters who ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/breakfast-spots ### Local Produce near Havant Havant sits at the junction of urban Hampshire and the productive farmland of the South Downs, the coastal plain and the Meon Valley. While the town itself is built up, the surrounding countryside sup... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/local-produce ### Trains from Havant Havant railway station is one of the most useful stations on the south Hampshire coast, serving as a junction where several routes converge. The station sits in the centre of town, close to the shops ... URL: https://www.havant.news/guide/trains ## History - c. 100 AD: Roman Activity at the Havant Springs - c. 700 AD: Saxon Settlement Established - 1086: Havant in the Domesday Book - 1200: Medieval Market Town - c. 1400: Parchment Making at Havant - 1520: Construction of Warblington Castle - 1643: Civil War Skirmishes - c. 1750: The Coaching Era - 1847: The Railway Arrives at Havant - 1867: Hayling Island Branch Line Opens - 1947: Leigh Park Housing Estate Begun - 1963: Hayling Island Branch Line Closes - 1985: The Springs Shopping Centre Opens - 1988: A27 Havant Bypass Completed - 1989: Staunton Country Park Opens - 2000: The Billy Trail Completed ## Streets - East Street - West Street - North Street - South Street - Park Road - Elm Lane - Brockhampton Lane - Langstone Road - Solent Road - Bedhampton Road - New Lane - Petersfield Road - Bartons Road - Dunhurst Lane - Prince George Street - Market Parade - Southleigh Road - Sharps Road - Crossland Drive - Leigh Road - Middle Park Way - Greywell Road - Prospect Lane - Harts Farm Way - Fitzwygram Crescent - Church Lane, Warblington ## Places - St Faith's Church (Church) - Havant Museum (Historic Site) - Spring Arts and Heritage Centre (Community) - The Bear Hotel (Historic Site) - Langstone Mill (Historic Site) - The Royal Oak, Langstone (Pub) - Staunton Country Park (Park) - Havant Park (Park) - The Springs Shopping Centre (Shops) - Havant Railway Station (Transport) - Bidbury Mead (Park) - Havant Leisure Centre (Sport) - Havant Library (Library) - The Pallant (Historic Site) - Warblington Castle Ruins (Historic Site) - The Billy Trail (Nature)