Bishopstoke

Infobox UK place
latitude= 50.9679
longitude= -1.3278
os_grid_reference = SU472189
population=9,845
map_type= Southampton
official_name= Bishopstoke
region = South East England
country=England
post_town = Eastleigh
postcode_area = SO
postcode_district= SO50
constituency_westminster=Eastleigh
dial_code=023
website=
shire_county=Hampshire
shire_district=Eastleigh
static_

static_image_caption=Bishopstoke has a gravel beach which is created by fluctuations in the height of the River Itchen

Bishopstoke, a village recorded in the Domesday Book, [ [http://www.bishopstokepc.hampshire.org.uk/history.html History] ] is a civil parish in the borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, England. Bishopstoke was also mentioned when King Alfred the Great's grandson King Eadred, granted land at "Stohes" to Thegn Aelfric in 948 A.D. [ [http://www.hants.gov.uk/parish/bishopstoke/ Bishopstoke Parish Council] ] . The village is about a mile east of Eastleigh town centre, and is on the eastern bank of the River Itchen. It adjoins Fair Oak on the east, in the Fair Oak and Horton Heath parish. The village was annexed to Eastleigh in 1932 [ [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10103850 Vision of Britain] ] , and was split out again as an independent civil parish later.It forms part of the Southampton Urban Area.

Itchen Valley Navigation

The Itchen Valley navigation running between Winchester and Southampton was completed in 1710 and used until 1869. Bishopstoke includes a sizeable proportion of the navigation, including a sluice that was in use until the closure of the navigation. [ [http://www.twyfordpc.hants.gov.uk/meadsinfo.htm Twyford info] ]

toke Park Woods

Bordering the village to the North and comprising around 207 hectares, the Stoke Park Woods area contains 61% woodland and 39% arable land. It is home to many species, including the rare quaker grass. Originally these woods were owned by the Bishop of Winchester. King John of England hunted these woods in 1205. In 1540 they were licensed by King Henry VIII as a deer hunt enclosed by fences. They were purchased by the Forestry Commission in 1948 and are now a community woodland. They are managed by the commission to produce wood for paper pulp and timber. [http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/pdf/wildStokePark.pdf Eastleigh Council Report on Stoke Woods Management]

Today

Bishopstoke contains one primary school, which feeds to the secondary school in Fair Oak. The village has a brownie pack.Eastleigh's museum in the High Street, which is open from Tuesday to Saturday, holds several files containing information about Bishopstoke's historic past and associated personalities, such as John Bale, Samuel Sewall, and Dean Garnier.

Bishopstoke still retains many buildings dating from the 18th century, although the village is expanding and now has a number of newer built residential and commercial premises.

The village is now effectively divided into " Old Bishopstoke" and "New Bishopstoke", heading roughly West to East, reflecting the recent housing requirements within the area.

One church in the village is St. Mary's.

References

External links

* [http://www.parishpages.co.uk/ Bishopstoke, Fair Oak & Horton Heath Local Community Magazine]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF8GwZeqivo Stoke Park Woods Video on you tube]

*Wikitravel|Bishopstoke