Liphook
Liphook is a large village in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England, situated approximately four miles west of Haslemere along the A3 road, which bypasses the settlement.[1]The village forms part of the Bramshott and Liphook civil parish, which covers 6,540 acres and had a population of 9,763 at the 2021 census, though the core Liphook area itself is estimated at 7,129 residents.[2][3]
Nestled in the rolling countryside near the borders of Surrey and West Sussex, Liphook is adjacent to the South Downs National Park and is characterized by its historic charm as a designated conservation area since 1977.[4][5][6] The area's origins trace back to the Domesday Book of 1086, which records early settlement at nearby Chiltlee with four households amid the royal hunting grounds of Woolmer Forest, while the name "Liphook" first appears in historical records around 1364.[6]
Liphook gained prominence from the 16th century onward as a key coaching stop on the vital London-to-Portsmouth route, with improved roads and regular coach services from 1688 spurring roadside inns like the rebuilt 17th-century Royal Anchor; this era saw visits from figures such as diarist Samuel Pepys in the 1660s and, reportedly, Admiral Lord Nelson before the Battle of Trafalgar.[6][1]
The arrival of the railway in 1859 brought modest growth, with population rising from 1,367 in 1861 to 1,614 by 1891, though the village retained its rural character; during both World Wars, it served as a base for Canadian troops.[6] Today, Liphook is renowned for its amenities and community spirit, including the prestigious Liphook Golf Club—opened in 1923 and praised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for its exemplary heathland course—and the Liphook Equine Hospital, one of the UK's largest specialist veterinary practices dedicated to equine care.[7][8]
The village supports a vibrant local economy with shops, a monthly market, and events like the annual Liphook Carnival, which raises funds for charities, alongside educational facilities, churches, and recreational options such as walks in the surrounding Hampshire countryside.[5][9][10]
Notable attractions nearby include the Hollycombe Steam Collection and the Champneys Forest Mere Spa, enhancing Liphook's appeal as a gateway to the region's natural and historical landscapes.[11]