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Hampshire Leasing

Did You Know?

Highclere Castle set in the Hampshire countryside, is one of the main filming locations for "Downton Abbey"! It also played host to the filming of “Jeeves and Wooster” starring Hugh Laurie (now better known as "Dr House") and Stephen Fry.

The Spitfire aircraft is a part of Hampshire history. R. J. Mitchell invented it, and it was first flown from Eastleigh, Hampshire on the 5th March 1936. After it had completed its official trials, the RAF ordered 310 aircrafts! This changed the game for Supermarine.

Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle wrote the original Sherlock Holmes story (“A Study in Scarlet”) in Southsea, Hampshire. The character Dr. Watson was based on a real doctor who was president of Portsmouth’s literary and scientific society and was a friend of the author.

A fun fact for any football fan, Portsmouth Football Club became the longest holding FA cup champions after their win in 1939. This was due to an interruption caused by World War II. The trophy was not presented again until the competition was resumed in 1946.

The British luxury fashion house, Burberry, was established in Hampshire in 1856 by Thomas Burberry. This was after he stumbled across a completely breathable, waterproof fabric called gabardine. His aim was to keep people protected from the British weather.

Bottoms up! Hampshire may actually be better than France at making champagne. A recent blind-tasting test saw Hambledon Vineyards non-vintage classic cuvee trump famous French champagnes like Veuve Clicquot, Tattinger and Pol Roger!

Famous for its watercress, farms in Hampshire have grown the crop commercially since the 19th century. The county is responsible for the majority of watercress production across the nation. This is pretty impressive considering a bag of watercress is sold every second.

As typical as British weather can be with the constant rainfall, you’ll be glad that Jonas Hanway from Portsmouth has got the whole of Hampshire County covered. He was the first man in London to use an umbrella after getting inspiration from parasols used by women in Persia.

 The most interesting fact about Hampshire… Southampton was the first town to sample fish fingers after they were made in Great Yarmouth! And this is why the people of Hampshire argue they have the best fish and chips in the country.

The annual Great Hampshire Sausage and Pie Competition attracts interest from local butchers who compete for top prizes in a variety of categories including best Hampshire Sausage, Hot Pie, Traditional Pork Pie, Black Pudding, Meatballs & Faggots, and Charcuterie.

General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones planted a one acre site with Seyval Blanc grapes, which duly produced their first crop for wine-making in 1954.

Hampshire is the largest county in the South East and the 9th biggest in England (by area). In terms of population, the county ranks 5th overall. It is also regarded as the birthplace of modern fly-fishing, wind-surfing and bird-watching.

Lymington’s Taddiford Gap is the most expensive area for nudists to visit in the UK.

One of our greatest 20th century novelists, P.G. Wodehouse lived on various occasions in the Hampshire town of Emsworth; but that the house on Record Road where he resided was called Threepwood? He named two of his greatest characters, Lord Emsworth and his brother the Hon. Galahad Threepwood.