How do watermeadows work? What is a Witan? Why does watercress need a railway? What are the Wallops, Worthys and Wonstons? What did a medieval Winchester washerwoman ever do for us? How many Williams does it take to build a cathedral (quite a few, including Williams Walkelin, Wykeham, Walker, and Wynford)? Where is the writing desk of a well-loved author? And why do people keep coming to Hampshire?

Hampshire’s beautiful rivers, coast, downland and forests, its ancient and modern roads, its maritime cities, its royal, religious and mercantile wealth, have made the county a crossroads of cultures and events, with a legacy of intriguing history, people, artists and traditions. A guide to the county to dip into, a compendium of fascinating ‘I didn’t know that’ facts and a companion to travels in the county, this is an essential read for those who know Hampshire and those who would like to.