# Waterlooville: Full Reference > Local news and community guide for Waterlooville, Hampshire. A busy town north of Portsmouth with a thriving shopping centre, strong community and Queen Elizabeth Country Park on its doorstep. ## Areas ### Waterlooville Town Centre The commercial heart of Waterlooville, centred on the pedestrianised Wellington Way and the Waterlooville Shopping Centre. The town centre grew from a crossroads hamlet in the nineteenth century into a busy retail and service hub serving a wide catchment area. Wellington Way, the main shopping stree... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/waterlooville-town-centre ### Cowplain The northern half of the wider Waterlooville urban area, running along London Road from the town centre up towards Horndean. Cowplain has its own identity and its own parade of shops along London Road, distinct from Waterlooville centre. The main shopping area along London Road has a Tesco Express, ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/cowplain ### Stakes A residential area to the east of Waterlooville town centre, developed mainly in the postwar decades. Stakes takes its name from Stakes Road, the main route running eastward from the centre towards Leigh Park and Havant. The area is predominantly residential, with a mix of postwar semis, detached ho... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/stakes ### Purbrook A well-established residential area to the south of Waterlooville, sitting between the town centre and the A3(M) motorway. Purbrook has an older history than Waterlooville itself, with evidence of settlement going back centuries. The area has a village feel in places, particularly around the old cen... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/purbrook ### Wecock Farm A large council housing estate to the south-east of Waterlooville town centre, built in the 1960s and 1970s to meet the demand for affordable family housing in the growing area. The estate was built on farmland and retains the name of the original farm. Wecock Farm has a distinctive layout of cresce... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/wecock-farm ### Lovedean A rural-edged settlement on the northern fringe of the Waterlooville area, where the suburban housing meets open farmland and the South Downs. Lovedean sits to the north of Cowplain and has a semi-rural character that distinguishes it from the more built-up areas further south. The village has a chu... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/lovedean ### Waterlooville North The residential streets between the town centre and Cowplain, covering the area north of Wellington Way and west of London Road. This area developed rapidly in the interwar and postwar periods as Waterlooville expanded from a hamlet into a town. The housing is a mix of 1930s semis with bay windows a... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/waterlooville-north ### Crookhorn A residential area to the south-east of Waterlooville, developed mainly in the postwar decades. Crookhorn takes its name from Crookhorn Lane, which runs through the area. The housing is predominantly postwar semis and detached houses built during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, with some later additions... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/crookhorn ### Forest End A residential neighbourhood on the western side of Waterlooville, named after the road of the same name. Forest End lies between the town centre and the open land stretching towards Denmead. The area was developed in stages during the twentieth century, with a mix of interwar semis, postwar council ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/forest-end ### Hart Plain A residential area within the eastern part of Waterlooville, centred on Hart Plain Avenue and the surrounding streets. The area was developed mainly in the 1950s and 1960s as part of the wider expansion of Waterlooville and sits between Stakes and the open ground to the east. Housing is predominantl... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/areas/hart-plain ## Guides ### Restaurants in Waterlooville Waterlooville has a practical and varied restaurant scene that reflects the town's position as a working service centre for the communities north of Portsmouth. The main concentration of restaurants s... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/restaurants ### Pubs in Waterlooville Waterlooville's pubs reflect the character of a town that grew rapidly in the twentieth century. There is no medieval coaching inn or ancient village local here. Instead, the pubs date largely from th... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/pubs ### Cafes in Waterlooville The cafe scene in Waterlooville is a mixture of high street chains, independent coffee shops and traditional greasy spoons. Costa Coffee and Greggs have a presence in the town centre, serving the shop... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/cafes ### Takeaways in Waterlooville Waterlooville has a dense concentration of takeaway restaurants serving every popular cuisine. Fish and chip shops, Chinese takeaways, Indian restaurants with takeaway counters, kebab shops, pizza del... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/takeaways ### Bus Services in Waterlooville Waterlooville has no railway station, which makes buses the primary form of public transport for the town's sixty thousand residents. The bus network connects Waterlooville to Portsmouth, Havant, Pete... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/buses ### Driving and Parking in Waterlooville Waterlooville sits at the junction of several important roads, making it a convenient base for drivers but also a town that experiences significant traffic congestion at peak times. The A3(M) motorway... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/driving-parking ### Cycling in Waterlooville Cycling in Waterlooville is shaped by the town's geography and road layout. The relatively flat terrain of the coastal plain makes cycling practical for everyday journeys, and several off-road paths p... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/cycling ### Doctors and GP Surgeries in Waterlooville Waterlooville is served by several GP surgeries that provide primary healthcare to the town's large population. The surgeries are distributed across the main residential areas, with practices in the t... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/doctors ### Dentists in Waterlooville Waterlooville has several dental practices offering NHS and private treatment. The practices are distributed along London Road and in the residential areas, serving both the town and the surrounding v... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/dentists ### Pharmacies in Waterlooville Pharmacies play an important role in Waterlooville's healthcare system, providing prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medicines, health advice and an increasing range of clinical services. Boots... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/pharmacies ### Primary Schools in Waterlooville Waterlooville and the surrounding areas have a good selection of primary schools serving children from reception through to Year 6. The schools include community schools, academy trusts and voluntary-... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/primary-schools ### Secondary Schools in Waterlooville Secondary education in the Waterlooville area is provided by several schools that serve the town and surrounding communities. The main secondary schools include comprehensive academies that take stude... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/secondary-schools ### Waterlooville Shopping Centre Waterlooville Shopping Centre is the commercial heart of the town, providing a covered shopping environment with a mix of national retailers, independent shops and service businesses. The centre was b... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/shopping-centre ### Supermarkets in Waterlooville Waterlooville is well served by supermarkets, with major stores from several national chains distributed across the town. The large Asda store is one of the most prominent, offering a full range of gr... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/supermarkets ### House Prices in Waterlooville House prices in Waterlooville are generally more affordable than in the coastal cities of Portsmouth and Chichester, making the town popular with first-time buyers, families and commuters who are will... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/house-prices ### Queen Elizabeth Country Park Queen Elizabeth Country Park sits on the chalk downland immediately north of Waterlooville, straddling the A3 between the town and Petersfield. The park covers approximately 1,400 acres of woodland an... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/queen-elizabeth-country-park ### Jubilee Park and Local Green Spaces Jubilee Park is one of several green spaces within the built-up area of Waterlooville that provide recreation, exercise and fresh air for residents. The park includes playing fields, a children's play... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/jubilee-park ### Waterlooville Football Club Waterlooville Football Club has a proud history in non-league football, with its greatest achievements coming in the FA Vase. The club has been a fixture of the local sporting scene for many decades, ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/waterlooville-fc ### Leisure Centres and Fitness in Waterlooville Waterlooville has leisure facilities that serve the fitness and recreation needs of the local population. The leisure centre provides a swimming pool, gym, fitness classes and sports hall that are use... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/leisure-centre ### The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, located in Havant town centre rather than Waterlooville itself, is the nearest dedicated cultural venue serving the Waterlooville area. The centre hosts a programm... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/spring-arts-centre ### Waterlooville Library Waterlooville Library provides books, information and community services to the town's residents. The library is part of the Hampshire County Council library network and offers lending, reference and ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/library ### How Waterlooville Got Its Name The name Waterlooville comes directly from the Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815. After the battle, a pub on the old London Road was renamed the Heroes of Waterloo to mark the victory over Na... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/history-waterloo-naming ### Cowplain: A Guide to Waterlooville's Northern Neighbour Cowplain is the northern extension of the Waterlooville urban area, running along London Road from the main town centre towards Horndean. Although administratively part of the same borough, Cowplain h... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/cowplain ### Purbrook: A Guide to the Southern Suburb Purbrook lies to the south of Waterlooville, occupying the ground between the town centre and the northern edges of Portsmouth. The area has a longer history than Waterlooville itself, with Purbrook H... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/purbrook ### Stakes and Wecock Farm Stakes and Wecock Farm form the eastern part of the Waterlooville urban area, bounded by the A3(M) motorway to the east and merging into Leigh Park to the south. The area takes its name from medieval ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/stakes ### Churches in Waterlooville Waterlooville has churches representing the main Christian denominations, including Church of England, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and independent evangelical congregations. The churches serve ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/churches ### Veterinary Practices in Waterlooville Waterlooville has several veterinary practices serving the pet owners of the town and surrounding areas. The practices offer routine healthcare including vaccinations, neutering, dental care and healt... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/vets ### Hairdressers and Barbers in Waterlooville Waterlooville has a large number of hairdressers and barbers, reflecting the size of the population and the demand for grooming services. Salons range from budget-friendly walk-in barbers to establish... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/hairdressers ### Recycling and Waste Collection in Waterlooville Recycling and waste collection in Waterlooville is managed by Havant Borough Council, which provides a fortnightly collection service for household waste, recyclable materials and garden waste. The co... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/recycling ### Broadband and Internet in Waterlooville Broadband availability in Waterlooville has improved significantly in recent years, with fibre-to-the-cabinet and fibre-to-the-premises connections now available across most of the town. BT Openreach,... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/broadband ### Council Services in Waterlooville Waterlooville falls within Havant Borough Council, which provides the local tier of government services. The council is responsible for planning, housing, waste collection, parks, leisure, environment... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/council-services ### Christmas in Waterlooville Christmas in Waterlooville brings a programme of festive events that draw the community together. The Christmas lights switch-on is the marquee event, typically held on an evening in late November, wi... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/christmas-events ### Dog Walking in Waterlooville Dog walking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Waterlooville, and the town is well served by parks, green spaces and countryside walks within easy reach. Queen Elizabeth Country Park is ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/dog-walking ### Childcare in Waterlooville Childcare provision in Waterlooville includes nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and after-school clubs that serve the needs of working parents across the town. The funded early years entitlement pr... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/childcare ### Walking Routes Around Waterlooville Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise and recreation available to Waterlooville residents, and the town's position at the foot of the South Downs provides walking opportunities that ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/walking-routes ### Allotments in Waterlooville Allotments in the Waterlooville area provide residents with the space to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. The allotment sites are managed by Havant Borough Council and local allotment ass... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/allotments ### Farm Shops and Local Produce near Waterlooville The countryside north and west of Waterlooville supports several farm shops that sell fresh, locally produced food directly to consumers. These shops offer an alternative to the supermarkets, providin... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/farm-shops ### Mental Health Support in Waterlooville Mental health support in Waterlooville is provided through a combination of NHS services, voluntary organisations and community initiatives. The GP surgeries are the first point of contact for most re... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/mental-health ### New Housing Developments in Waterlooville Waterlooville continues to grow, with new housing developments on the edges of the town adding hundreds of homes to the area. The major development sites include land to the north and east of the exis... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/new-developments ### Renting in Waterlooville The private rental market in Waterlooville serves a significant proportion of the local population, including young professionals, families, military personnel and people who are unable to afford a mo... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/renting ### Cricket in Waterlooville Cricket has a strong following in the Waterlooville area, with clubs providing competitive and social cricket for players of all ages and abilities. The clubs field teams in the Hampshire Cricket Leag... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/cricket ### The Growth of Waterlooville: From Hamlet to Town The transformation of Waterlooville from a hamlet around a single pub to a town of more than sixty thousand people is one of the most dramatic examples of suburban growth in Hampshire. In 1815, when t... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/local-history-growth ### Volunteering in Waterlooville Volunteering opportunities in Waterlooville span a wide range of causes and organisations, from charity shops and food banks to community groups, sports clubs and environmental projects. The voluntary... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/volunteering ### Taxis and Private Hire in Waterlooville Taxi and private hire services fill the gap left by the limited evening and weekend bus services in Waterlooville. Several local firms operate from the town, providing pre-booked and on-demand transpo... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/taxis ### Nightlife in Waterlooville Nightlife in Waterlooville is modest compared to the bars and clubs of Portsmouth or Southampton, but the town offers enough to provide a night out without travelling to the city. The pubs along Londo... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/nightlife ### Summer Activities in Waterlooville Summer in Waterlooville opens up a range of outdoor activities that make the most of the town's green spaces, nearby countryside and long daylight hours. Queen Elizabeth Country Park is the premier de... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/summer-activities ### Crime and Community Safety in Waterlooville Waterlooville is a generally safe place to live, with crime rates that are broadly average for a town of its size in Hampshire. The most common offences are anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime, shopl... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/crime-safety ### Air Quality in Waterlooville Air quality in Waterlooville is generally acceptable but is affected by traffic emissions, particularly along London Road and at the busier junctions. The A3(M) motorway, running close to the eastern ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/air-quality ### Post Office Services in Waterlooville Post Office services in Waterlooville are available through branches in the town centre and in Cowplain. The branches provide the standard range of Post Office services, including postage, parcels, ba... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/post-office ### Energy Efficiency and the Environment in Waterlooville Energy efficiency is an increasingly important consideration for Waterlooville residents, driven by rising energy costs, climate awareness and the availability of grants and incentives for home improv... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/energy-environment ### Denmead: The Village Next Door Denmead is a village to the west of Waterlooville that retains a distinctly rural character despite its proximity to the town. The village sits in the countryside between Waterlooville and the Meon Va... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/denmead ### Commuting from Waterlooville Commuting from Waterlooville presents a particular challenge because the town has no railway station. Residents who need to travel to Portsmouth, Southampton, London or other destinations must either ... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/commuting ### Horndean: Waterlooville's Northern Neighbour Horndean sits to the north of Waterlooville, on the rising ground where the coastal plain gives way to the chalk hills of the South Downs. The village is closely linked to Waterlooville through geogra... URL: https://www.waterlooville.news/guide/horndean ## History - c. 43-410 AD: Roman Road Through the Area - c. 1000-1500: Medieval Farming Hamlet - 1815: Waterlooville Named After the Battle of Waterloo - c. 1820-1860: Growth of the Crossroads Hamlet - 1831: St George's Church Built - c. 1870-1900: Late Victorian Development - 1914-1918: First World War - 1920s-1930s: Interwar Suburban Expansion - 1939-1945: Second World War - 1945-1970: Postwar Housing Boom - 1970s: Waterlooville Shopping Centre Built - 1970s-1980s: A3(M) Motorway Opened - 1976: Queen Elizabeth Country Park Opens - 1998 and 2013: Waterlooville FC FA Vase Victories - 2000s-2020s: Continued Growth and New Housing - c. 3000-1000 BC: Bronze Age Activity on the Downs ## Streets - London Road - Maurepas Way - Wellington Way - Stakes Road - Hambledon Road - Mill Road - Milton Road - Purbrook Way - Hulbert Road - Padnell Road - Forest End - Hart Plain Avenue - Crookhorn Lane - Tempest Avenue - Eagle Avenue - Falcon Road - Drift Road - Rowlands Avenue - Elizabeth Road - Neville Avenue - Stakes Hill Road - Ladybridge Road - Vidler Close - Woodlands Road - Cherry Tree Avenue ## Places - Waterlooville Library (Library) - The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre (Community) - Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Park) - Jubilee Park (Park) - Padnell Park (Park) - Purbrook Heath (Nature) - Woodlands Walk (Nature) - St George's Church (Church) - The Heroes (Wetherspoon) (Pub) - Asda Waterlooville (Supermarket) - Sainsbury's Waterlooville (Supermarket) - Wecock Farm Community Centre (Community) - Waterlooville War Memorial (Historic Site) - Cowplain Activity Centre (Community) - Purbrook Park School (School) - Waterlooville Leisure Centre (Sport)