Wallington

This ancient suburb is situated to the east of Fareham, just over the river that carries its name and was once regarded almost as a separate settlement.

 

Wallington was the first fording place on the river that rises in the South Downs and meanders down to empty into the upper reaches of Fareham Creek. The finding of flint implements in the area substantiates the belief that a settlement existed on the river banks as far back as pre-historic times.

 

Up until recent times the entire population lived in picturesque Georgian brick cottages in Wallington Shore Road and North Wallington - a hamlet which supported two thriving industries over the years:

• A large, high quality tannery which was first established in 17th Century. The hides and bark used in the tannery and the finished products were all carried by sea via the Fareham Quays. With the coming of the railways, cartloads of hides and bark travelling between the railway station and tannery became a common sight in the town. The tannery employed some three dozen men and was in operation right up to the First World War.
• The Wallington Brewery - this was located north of the village and commenced operations in early 19th century. It continued to produce popular ale for more than a hundred years.

Today Wallington is ringed with modern roads and industrial estates and at its highest point is the remains of Fort Wallington (a Palmerston fort now used as an industrial estate).

 

In 1978 the bridge was under threat of demolition because it was seen as a cause of flooding. However, a group of local residents fought this successfully, a new flood prevention scheme was introduced and both the bridge and the buildings surrounding it are conserved.