Trade & Industry

 

 

Records dating from the early Middle Ages indicate Fareham was a significant market town - serving the surrounding agricultural area - and a market has been held here since the 12th century.

 

For many centuries Fareham was a flourishing seaport. In early medieval times it had an active role in shipping out Hampshire grain in exchange for French wine and by the 14th century Fareham was well known as an important south coast port. During this period much of the trade of the kingdom was conducted by small coastal vessels. Ships would bring imports such as coal, corn, salt, hides and bark to Fareham's quays. This cargo would then be replaced with produce from Fareham's industries such as timber, leather, bricks, pottery and grain. The ships would be loaded in Fareham Creek and in the Haven at Titchfield. In those days there was a passage for vessels right into Titchfield but this eventually declined as the silting up of the river assisted in strangling the sea-borne trade.

 

During the late 18th century ship-building was at its peak in Fareham and this helped to give the town a big advantage. At that time the area was heavily wooded and timber from vast Fareham and Titchfield parks was transported by sea via Fareham and Warsash to other ship-building centres around the coast. This industry continued for 100 years until it began to wane, although during the early part of this century a large number of smaller pleasure craft were being built by local ship-builders and this still continues today at boatyards along the River Hamble.

 

Once shipbuilding began its decline other industries prospered. These included strawberry growing, production of chimney- pots, leather-tanning, brewing, flour, woollen goods, sacking, timber, pottery, and clay-pipes. During Georgian and early Victorian times Fareham grew rapidly to serve the needs of the surrounding agricultural area and the Royal Navy. Many elegant houses were built during this period so that high-ranking Naval Officers could live in pleasant surroundings away from the Dockyard. Shops and businesses grew around a cheese market in the High Street and a large cattle and provision market that was held in the centre of West Street until the 1960's. The town was one of the first in the country to be lit by electric lights.

 

Fareham had an active brick making industry until 1974 using local clay and producing the famous 'Fareham Reds' bricks. Many of the unspoilt Georgian houses in the prestigious High Street are built of these.

 

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