Edward Sparshott

Botley is a historic village in Hampshire, England. The village was once described as "the most delightful village in the world" by 18th century journalist and radical politician William Cobbett. The village was developed as a natural crossing point for the River Hamble, and received its first market charter from Henry III in 1267. The village grew on the success of its mill, its coaching inns, and more recently strawberries. Botley today, reflects its heritage and retains its traditional charm. Visitors may walk the self guided Cobbett trail, stop for refreshments at the many excellent local venues, visit the individual shops in the Square or Botley Mills. However, Botley is also cited in extensive scenic countryside, close to Manor Farm, River Hamble Country Park and the River Hamble, the long distance Strawberry Trail, and the picturesque coast of the Solent at Hamble-le-Rice.

The Strawberry Trail is a 15-mile footpath through Hampshire, England The trail is part linear and part circular. The linear section connects Botley to Bursledon railway station via Manor Farm Country Park. The circular section is usually done in a clockwise direction. From Bursledon railway station the trail goes south closely following the River Hamble and through Hamble until it meets Southampton Water. The trail then turns right and follows the shoreline into Royal Victoria Country Park. The path exits the Country Park next to the tearooms and twists and turns along a short nature trail until it meets the Hamble Rail Trail. The path continues North along Hound Road then crosses farmland, turns right at a recreation ground, and returns to the railway station via the outskirts of Bursledon. There are numerous pay car parks in the area, however it is recommended that walkers use the free car park just off Mortimer Road near Botley High Street. In summer a ferry service operates between Hamble and Manor Farm Country Park. The rural parts of the trail are waymarked in the clockwise direction by metal and plastic disks found attached to wooden and metal posts, trees and street furniture. However, there are very few markers within the Royal Victoria Country Park and on the section that passes through the outskirts of Bursledon.

Botley railway station serves Botley and the surrounding areas in the English county of Hampshire. The station is on the railway line between Eastleigh and Fareham, 78 miles 72 chains (127.0 km) from London Waterloo. Although named after the nearby village of Botley, which is within the boundaries of the Borough of Eastleigh, the station is actually located in the civil parish of Curdridge, which falls within the boundaries of the City of Winchester.

Upper Hamble Estuary and Woods is a 151.2-hectare (374-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Southampton in Hampshire. It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site and Special Protection Area, and of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation. Part of the site is in Manor Farm Country Park, which is a Local Nature Reserve.This site comprises the upper estuary of the River Hamble, together with adjoining saltmarsh, reedswamp and ancient semi-natural woodland. The woods have a diverse ground flora and invertebrate fauna. There is also a narrow zone of mudflats, with large numbers of marine worms, crustaceans and molluscs, which provide food for birds.

River Hamble Country Park is a 144.1-hectare (356-acre) Local Nature Reserve which runs along the west bank of the River Hamble between the villages of Botley and Bursledon in Hampshire. It is owned by Hampshire County Council and managed by Hampshire Countryside Service. It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site and Special Protection Area, and of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation. Part of it is in Upper Hamble Estuary and Woods, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Long Common is a village in the civil parish of Botley in the Eastleigh district of Hampshire, England. It lies approximately 5.6 miles (9.0 km) north-east from Southampton.

Shamblehurst Farmhouse is a Grade II listed building in Hedge End, Hampshire. Situated on Shamblehurst Lane, it was first listed on 14 February 1983. The structure has two storeys and parts of it date from the 17th century, with alterations made in the 19th century. The building is timber-framed and, in common with many medieval structures, is jettied, meaning the first floor projects beyond the walls of the ground floor. The brickwork on the ground floor is painted, with Jacobean style hoods on the windows dating from the 19th century. The roof is tiled with red tiles in a banded pattern with hips. There are two large chimney stacks with square bases; one with two flues and the other with four, all diagonal to the front face of the house. The windows are leaded in a diamond-lozenge pattern.Shamblehurst Farm is one of three that were listed within the tithing of Shamblehurst in the 19th century, the others being Flanders and Botley Grange.The farmhouse currently carries the name "Strawberry Cottage".

HMS Cricket was the name given to a Royal Navy shore establishment on the River Hamble from 1943 to 1946. This name was previously used by the Insect-class gunboat Cricket (1915) that was scrapped in 1942. HMS Cricket was commissioned on 15 July 1943. Initially it was a "Royal Marine Landing Craft Crew Training Base". It was established as an independent command with accounts being handled by HMS Shrapnel. The base was later used to assemble troops and landing craft in the build-up to D-day. From 23 May 1944, during the final preparations for D-Day, the base was completely sealed. During the base's operation, she was assigned a number of depot ships. The first was the Nab Happy Lass, from the time of commissioning until 30 April 1945. She was replaced by harbour launch 30455 until May that year, and was then succeeded by the petrol powered harbour launch 436622 until March 1946. It was decided to close HMS Cricket after the end of the Second World War, a decision taken on 1 March 1946. The last arrivals were on 20 May 1946 and Cricket was probably decommissioned on 15 July 1946, three years after commissioning. Its buildings were used for temporary post-war accommodation for the civilian population of Southampton. River Hamble Country Park now occupies this site. Itchen South scouts operate a scout campsite, named Cricket Camp, on part of the land.

Grace Dieu was the flagship of King Henry V of England and one of the largest ships of her time. Launched in 1418, she sailed on only one voyage and was subsequently laid up at anchor in the River Hamble. She burned in 1439 after being struck by lightning. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.

Wildern School is an 11–16 mixed secondary school with academy status in Hedge End, Hampshire, England. It was formerly a foundation school that was established in 1933 and became an academy in 2011.

Burridge is a small village in the Borough of Fareham, south of Hampshire, England. It lies approximately 14 miles south of Winchester on the A3051 between Botley and Park Gate. It is also to the north of Sarisbury and to the west of Whiteley. The village was formerly known as Caiger's Green, but the name Burridge became more popular as the village grew (named after Burridge Farm). Area == Its traditional industry was the growing of strawberries, which were distributed by rail from Swanwick railway station. Burridge AFC has four adult sides, playing in the Drew Smith Southampton Saturday League, Gosport & Fareham Football League and the Meon Valley Football League. Burridge Cricket Club's first XI plays in the second division of the Southern Electric Premier Cricket League. Burridge and Swanwick Residents Association serves the local community. Website Burridge Village Hall [1] has rooms for hire for the benefit of the local community.

Hedge End railway station is situated on the northern edge of the town of Hedge End in the English county of Hampshire. The station was opened by British Rail in 1990, and is on the railway line between Eastleigh and Fareham. It is 76 miles 76 chains (123.8 km) from London Waterloo.