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Fields Example Do Not Use

Welcome

Southwick & Widley Parish is situated to the North of Portsdown Hill under watchful eyes of the “Palmerston’s Folly”, the Victorian forts on Portsdown Hill designed to protect Portsmouth Dockyards from a land-based attack. Being the second smallest Parish in our district, we boast around 580 voters who occupy 360 household units; a third being owned by the Southwick Estate, a third as “married quarters” for the MOD and a third in private ownership.

About the Parish

The village and surrounding countryside remains socially isolated, with no bus service or other public transport being provided. We therefore rely upon our Village Store and Tea Room, together with our two Public Houses, Church and Village Hall to provide for our social and recreational needs.

Situated to the immediate East of the Village, Southwick House (the Estate’s former residence) has, since the Second World War, been occupied by the military and is currently the training establishment for the Tri Service Military Police and we are fortunate that they regularly support village events. Also situated to our immediate East, are the remains of Southwick Priory, much of which is covered by a golf course but with some remains accessible from Priory Road.

The history of the village and the Southwick Estate has formed us and determined what we are today. Much of the village sits within a “Conservation Area”, based upon the village footprint laid down by the Priory Monks in the 1300’s, our High Street, West Street, Bridge Street and Back Lane boast many listed buildings standing since the times of Henry the Eighth.

The Parish has a close community, proud of its history and the part it plays to annually celebrate the fact that the D-Day Landings of June 6th 1944 were conceived and planned in Southwick House.