Eastleigh
From World travel guide
Eastleigh is a town in the south of England that sits between Winchester and Southampton. The town has a long history associated with the railways, being the site of a large railway works that at one time was the major employer in the area.
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About Eastleigh
The Borough of Eastleigh contains many small villages and hamlets, with Chandlers Ford to the north, Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath to the east.
Perhaps the best-known piece of history associated with Eastleigh is that it is the home of the Spitfire (WWII fighter plane, designed by R.J.Mitchell). The aircraft was built, designed and first flown from what is now Southampton Airport (even though it sits in Eastleigh!). Interesting trivia: Southampton Airport was claimed to have been sunk by the German Air Force during the Second World War! During its military service, it was known as HMS Raven, and this name was announced by the German propoganda machine as a successfully sunk ship of the British Navy!
The town also boasts a link to one of the UK's best known comics, Benny Hill. Indeed it was his work as a milkman in the town that spawned his well known "Ernie - the fastest milkman in the west" tune.
In the last 20-30 years, the town has become a bit of a dormitory town, in that it has become home to many people who live here, but work elsewhere. This is mainly due to the good transport links of the M3 and M27 motorways and Southampton Airport - with direct flights to much of the UK and many points within Europe.
Get in
Regular bus services both to Southampton and Winchester.
Also very good rail links, being on the main line between Weymouth and London. A service to London runs approximately every hour.
Southampton Airport, just to the south of the town, has regular services to most major European cities, and during the summer months also has flights to the more common british holiday destinations of the Spanish Costas.
Eastleigh is also the end point of the M3 connecting the south coast with the rest of the country's motorway network.
Travel times (approximately)
- London (1.5 hours)
- Birmingham (2.5 hours)
Get around
See
- Eastleigh Museum
- The Point (Arts centre) - cinema, shows etc
Do
In the last few years, Eastleigh has launched a music festival. This is held in a giant big top on either the Recreation Ground, or more recently at Fleming Park, the main leisure centre in Eastleigh.
The highlight of the 2004 festival was Rolf Harris - who went down an absolute storm. More details can be found by searching for Eastleigh Music Festival
Lakeside is an area of land left behind by the gravel extraction for the M27. the three larges holes are now flooded and provide a very pleasant green belt between Southampton and Eastleigh. Fishing, Walking and bird watching are all possible at the site, as well as a miniature railway that runs during School holidays.
Expected Autumn 2006 is a 9-screen cinema, 70-bed hotel and other recreational facilities. This is to be built (subject to planning permission) over the car park to the Swan Centre (the towns main shopping area). The plans go before the Council in September this year. The facility would be a major boost to the town, which has suffered in recent years from being too close to facilities in Southampton, Winchester and Portsmouth
Buy
Eat
Drink
Many pubs and clubs in the Town Centre catering for all tastes.
Sleep
Holiday Inn and Welcome Break both have hotels in the town. Prices are the same as all the other outlets in the chain. Google searches for both will give you the links to the different hotels.
Get out
See the Get Out section above.
Lots of options with good road, rail and air links into and out of the area.
National Express coaches also runs services through the town centre.
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