History of Fareham

 

Fareham's origins go back to a small settlement that was developed before Roman times around a crossing point of the River Wallington, close to the top of the present day High Street. The Romans came to the area in about AD43 and built a large fortress at Portchester, to shelter their garrison and defend Portsmouth Harbour (its ruins can still be seen).

 

• Twin Towns
• Civic Offices
• Trade and Industry
• Royal Connections
• Fareham Architecture
• Individual towns in Fareham history

Evidence of settlements existing in the Second Ice Age and Saxon times have been suggested by the discovery of flint arrowheads, knives and other implements collected at Hill Head. During the Iron Age, the Celts are believed to have used the River Meon as a harbour for their boats.

 

The Domesday Book of 1086 showed that the present Fareham Borough comprised of the 'Hundred of Ferneham' (Fareham), the 'Hundred of Ticefelle' (Titchfield) and the 'Manor of Porcestre' (Portchester).

 

Impressive reminders of the past include Titchfield's medieval abbey with its links to Henry Wriothesley, the Third Earl of Southampton, who was a patron of Shakespeare. Portchester Castle dates back to Roman times (from the end of the 3rd Century) and is imposing proof of early occupation.