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Andover ( ) is a town in the (Test Valley) district of (Hampshire), England. The town is on the (River Anton), a major tributary of the (Test), and lies alongside the major (A303) trunk road at the eastern end of (Salisbury Plain), 18 miles (29km) west of the town of (Basingstoke). It is 14 miles (23km) from (Winchester), 35 miles (56km) north of (Southampton) and 65 miles (105km) from London.

Andover
High Street with (Andover Guildhall) at the top of the street
Andover Location within (Hampshire)
Population	50,887(2021 Census)
(OSgridreference)	SU3646
(Civil parish)	Andover
(District)	(Test Valley)
(Shirecounty)	(Hampshire)
(Region)	(South East)
(Country)	(England)
(Sovereignstate)	United Kingdom
(Post town)	Andover
(Postcodedistrict)	(SP10, SP11)
(Diallingcode)	01264
(Police)	(Hampshire and Isle of Wight)
(Fire)	(Hampshire and Isle of Wight)
(Ambulance)	(South Central)
(UKParliament)	(North West Hampshire)
Website	Town Council
List of places (UK) (England) (Hampshire) 51°12′29″N 1°28′48″W / 51.208°N 1.480°W

Early history

Andover's name is recorded in (Old English) in 955 as Andeferas, and is thought to be of (Celtic) origin: compare (Welsh) onn dwfr = "ash (tree) water". The first mention in history is in 950 when (King Edred) is recorded as having built a royal hunting lodge there. In 962 (King Edgar) called a meeting of the Saxon 'parliament' (the (Witenagemot)) at his hunting lodge near Andover. Of more importance was the baptism, in 994, of a Viking king named "Anlaf" (allied with the Danish king, (Sweyn Forkbeard)). The identity of that man was either (Olav Tryggvason) (king of Norway) or (Olof Skötkonung) (king of Sweden). The baptism was part of a deal with the English king, (Æthelred the Unready), whereby the Viking stopped ravaging England and returned home.

At the time of the (Domesday Book) (1086), Andovere had 107 adult male inhabitants and probably had a total population of about 500. It was a relatively large settlement; most villages had only 100 to 150 people. Andover had six watermills which ground grain to flour. The town's relative isolation implies a market for grain and flour. In 1175 Andover bought a royal charter granting certain townspeople rights and forming a merchant guild which took over local governance (see (ancient borough)); guild members elected two officials (bailiffs) who ran the town. In 1201 (King John) gave the merchants the right to collect royal taxes in Andover themselves. In 1256 (Henry III) gave the townspeople the right to hold a court and try criminals for offences committed in Andover. Andover sent MPs to the parliaments of 1295 and 1302–1307. The town was ravaged by two serious fires, in 1141 and 1435. Andover remained a small market town. Processing wool appears to have been the main industry and street names in the area of the town known as "Sheep Fair" commemorate this. A weekly market, and an annual fair were held.

As well as the Church of St Mary, the town had a (priory) and a hospital run by monks, dedicated to (St John the Baptist), and also a lepers hostel to (St Mary Magdalene). In 1538 during the (Reformation) (Henry VIII) closed the priory and the hospital. In 1571 a free school for the boys of Andover was established in the grounds of St Mary's Church. This in time became Andover Grammar School, and in the 1970s it became (John Hanson Community School). The school has occupied various sites in the town over the course of its history and is currently located in Floral Way.

In 1599 the town received a new charter from (Elizabeth I). The merchants guild was made a corporation and the number of annual fairs was increased from one to three. Like other towns Andover suffered from outbreaks of (plague). There were outbreaks in 1603–1605, 1625–1626 and 1636.

18th and 19th century

During the 18th century, being on the main (Exeter) – (Salisbury) – London road, the place became a refuelling or overnight stop for (stagecoaches) and other passing trade. More than 30 coaches passed through the town each day. In 1789 a (canal) to (Southampton) was opened, though this was never a commercial success and closed in 1859. In 1836 the Borough established a small police force: for the most part two constables and a gaoler.

Andover was linked to Basingstoke and thus to London on its new railway to (Salisbury) (shortly thereafter to Exeter beyond) when Andover junction station was opened on 3 July 1854. A railway from the 1860s ran to Southampton, built on the bed of the canal, for about 100 years, until 1964. The land, together with the adjacent gasworks and P.M. Coombes woodyards, was then sold to the (TSB) Trust Company who later built their headquarters there. In 1883, Andover was linked to (Swindon) and destinations further north with the .

The population grew from 3,304 in 1801 to 5,501 in 1871. During the 19th century the town acquired all the usual additions: a theatre in 1803, gas street lighting in 1838, a fire station and cottage hospital in 1877, a swimming pool opened in 1885 and a recreation ground opened in 1887. A water company was formed in 1875 to provide piped water to the town and a system of sewers and drains was built in 1899–1902. The (public library) opened in 1897. Despite this burgeoning of the amenities of the town, in 1845–1846 a notorious (scandal) brought to light evidence of beatings, sexual abuse and general mistreatment of workhouse inmates by the overseers. The enquiry and public reaction led indirectly to the (Poor Law) Act, principally involving segregation of a now-obligatory infirmary for local people from the workhouse for the able-bodied, but also better governance. The town was one of the boroughs reformed by the (Municipal Reform Act 1835).

The (woollen) industry had declined but new industries took its place. (Taskers) (Waterloo Ironworks) opened at (Anna Valley) in 1809 and flourished. Many examples of the machinery produced by Taskers can be seen at the (Milestones Museum) in Basingstoke. (Andover Guildhall), which enjoys a prominent location in the High Street, opened in 1825.

Modern history

Employment

The town's largest employer is the Ministry of Defence. (RAF Andover) was opened on Andover Airfield, to the south of the town, during the (First World War) and became the site of the (RAF) Staff College.

In 1926, the (Andover War Memorial Hospital) was opened by Field Marshall (Edmund Allenby). The hospital currently provides inpatient rehabilitation, (day hospital) services, a minor injury unit and an outpatient unit, and is operated by (Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), with some services being provided by (Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust).

In 1932 Andover gained a new industry when the printers for (Kelly's Directory) moved to the town. Slowly the town grew from about 11,000 and by 1960 had a population of about 17,000, because already some Londoners were being housed in the first of the council houses/flats being constructed.

During the (Second World War), the (RAF Staff College) was the headquarters of (RAF Maintenance Command), and gained a unique place in British history, as the first British military helicopter unit, the Helicopter Training School, was formed in January 1945 at (RAF Andover). The airfield is no longer in use although the RAF retains a link to the area through the presence of 1213 (Andover) Squadron, (Air Training Corps). When the RAF left the site became the Headquarters of the (Quartermaster General) and later .

In 2001, the (Defence Logistics Organisation) (DLO) was formed and Andover became one of its major sites. Since 2012, the site has been the home of (Army Headquarters). The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre is based locally at (Amport House), as is the (Army Air Corps) Centre and the (Museum of Army Flying) at (Middle Wallop).

Major industries include (Twinings) the tea and coffee firm, Ducal Pine Furniture (until they closed in 2003), Thomson International Publishers, who produce the Pitkin Guides to be found in many churches and other notable buildings, financial institutions such as (Simplyhealth) and Lloyds Banking Group, and the (Stannah Group), whose HQ is also in the town. Among the proposals in the council's Borough Local Plan 2006 are plans to develop the former site of (RAF Andover) to Class B1, B2 and B8 uses. This site has been partially developed and is named Andover Business Park. The business park currently houses a (Co-op Food) Distribution centre, Factory, (Costa Coffee) Drive Thru, (Pure Gym), (Travelodge) and the Chalkhill Blue pub.

Housing

In the 1950s the Borough Council was approached to become an (overspill town for London), to build houses and take people and industry relocated from the overcrowded capital. In 1961 a plan was drawn up to expand to a population of some 47,000 by 1982, with 9,000 new homes to be built.^[]

The first new council houses were ready by 1954, and by 1981 the population had risen to 51,000. A bypass, industrial estates and a new shopping centre in the town centre, called the Chantry Centre, were all built and the town's character changed completely.^[]

Arts and culture

Andover has a purpose-built arts and entertainment venue owned & managed by Test Valley Borough Council called The Lights. This hosts professional artists throughout the year. The venue has a 249 fully raked auditorium, a business suite, a dance studio and a craft studio. The Lights has attracted international artists such as (Michael McIntyre).

The Town Museum ((Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age)), based in the former John Hanson Free School building, has a Museum of the (Iron Age) which was added in 1986 and houses the finds from excavations at nearby (Danebury) hillfort.

In 2021, Andover was named as the sexiest place in Britain.

Politics

(Andover) was the name of a (constituency) of the (House of Commons) of the (Parliament of England) from 1295 to 1307, and again from 1586, then of the (Parliament of Great Britain) from 1707 to 1800, and of the (Parliament of the United Kingdom) from 1801 to 1918. It was a (parliamentary borough), represented by two (Members of Parliament) (MPs) until 1868, and by one member from 1868 to 1885. The name was then transferred to a (county constituency) electing one MP from 1885 until 1918.

Currently, Andover is in the constituency of (North West Hampshire), which since 2015 has been represented in the (House of Commons) by (Kit Malthouse) for the (Conservatives).

When the Borough Council and Council were abolished in the local government reorganisation of 1974, and replaced by (Test Valley) Borough Council (whose area extends south to the edge of (Southampton)), Andover became an (unparished area), secularly, for 34 years. Andover Town Council was revived in May 2010, the townsfolk electing an initial 19 members, and since 2017 has included a Town Mayor.

Bus

Almost all areas of the town are served, and there are longer distance connections to the surrounding towns and villages. The majority of the buses in the town are operated by (Stagecoach South), including inter-urban services to Basingstoke and Salisbury.

The Active8 service connects the smaller town of Tidworth with Andover and Salisbury, and is operated by both Stagecoach and Salisbury Reds, a brand of (Go South Coast). This service is rare in Hampshire in that the operators provide a combined timetable and accept each other's tickets.

In 2002 the town became part of the Cango community bus network.

Railway

Andover's (railway station) is run by (South Western Railway) and is close to the town's centre. Trains run to (Salisbury), (Yeovil Junction), (Exeter St Davids), (Basingstoke) and (London Waterloo) (with a usual intermittent stop of (Woking)) and some stopping services to places such as (Whitchurch).

In April 2017, the (Department for Transport) predicted that train journey times between Andover and London Waterloo would be reduced by nearly 20 per cent after awarding the (South Western franchise) to South Western Railway; journey times to/from Waterloo to be cut by about 11 to 13 minutes from late 2018.

Andover previously had a second station, (Andover Town), in the town centre on the (Andover to Redbridge Line). The line and the station closed to passengers in September 1964 as part of the (Beeching Axe).

Roads

The (A303), a main route from London to South West England, essentially bounds the town to the south. The (M4 motorway), to the north, can be reached by way of the (A34 trunk road), which continues to Birmingham; or via (Marlborough, Wiltshire).

In 2021, Andover had a population of 50,887

Local TV coverage is provided by (BBC South) and (ITV Meridian).

For (BBC Local Radio), the town is served by both (BBC Radio Solent) on 96.1MHz FM and (BBC Radio Berkshire) on 104.1MHz FM. (Andover Radio) is a community radio station on 95.9MHz FM, first licensed in 2016. The (Independent Local Radio) station for the area is (Greatest Hits Radio Berkshire & North Hampshire), which broadcasts national and regional music programmes. The licence was first held by (Andover Sound), then by The Breeze between 2012 and 2020.

The weekly newspaper for the town and the surrounding area is the Andover Advertiser, founded in 1858 and now owned by (Newsquest).

In the late 1980s, Andover was one of the first towns in England to have a cable television franchise, Andover Cablevision.^[]

Andover Vision is a partnership of Andover's residents, community groups, business and public bodies. In April 2017, a strategy document set out the ambitions for the town and its future over the next 20 years. The strategy was shaped by local people through extensive consultation and brought together by the Vision partnership. The ambitions will influence how Andover manages the changing environment for the benefit of the whole community as well as providing a way in which local people can play an active role in the future of their town. The five themes for the Andover Vision are:

• Being part of a connected community
• Having a great green environment
• Being part of a thriving town centre
• Supporting business, jobs and skills in the town
• Access to great health

Each of the ambitions has a set of 'big ideas'. The big ideas describe what the partnership will work on together for the town and inform the projects that the partnership will take forward through its action plan. The document will also be used as a basis to attract new funding and new opportunities to the town and a guide for partners for their future policies and strategies relating to Andover.

The Vision supports a number of projects in the town, including The Town Mills Riverside Park and organised events such as the Christmas lights switch on, Four Fun Fridays in the summer and the Artisan Markets.

The previous 20-year Andover Vision Strategy, launched in 2005, delivered projects including The Lights Theatre, Odeon cinema, Andover Business Park, the Chapel Arts Centre and events such as the Graduation ceremonies.

(Watermills) have formed an important part in Andover's history. The (Domesday Book) of 1086 recorded six mills.

(Rooksbury Mill) is one of the few surviving mill buildings in Andover. The existence of Rooksbury Mill is first recorded by name in the 17th century. Functioning as a flour mill, it has passed through a succession of owners. Milling ceased in the early 20th century, after which the mill building went through a series of uses including being used as a small theatre. (Test Valley) Borough Council sold the building in 2002, shortly after it had been devastated following an arson attack. The new owners, Anthony and Sarah de Sigley, restored the building in 2003, rebuilding much of the original structure.^[]

A large flour mill, (McDougalls), is close to the railway station.

Andover, in common with much of the UK, experiences a (maritime climate) type, reflected in its limited temperature range and lack of rainy/dry seasons, although rainfall does tend to peak in winter and reach a minimum in summer. The nearest met office weather station to Andover is Leckford, about 5 miles (8km) south of the town centre.

The absolute maximum temperature recorded was 34.7°C (94.5°F) during August 1990. In an average year, the hottest day will achieve a temperature of 29.0°C (84.2°F). In total 12.8 days should have a maximum temperature of 25.1°C (77.2°F) or above.

The absolute minimum temperature recorded was −15.6°C (3.9°F) during December 1960. In an average year the coldest night will fall to −7.5°C (18.5°F). In total 46.6 nights should register an air frost.

Total rainfall averages 805mm (31.7in) per year, with at least 1mm (0.039in) falling on 124 days. All averages refer to the 1971–2000 observation period.

The town is served by state, independent and special schools. Secondary education is provided by three state schools. (John Hanson Community School), formerly Andover Grammar School, which dates back to the 16th century and is the oldest school in the town, (Harrow Way Community School) and (Winton Community Academy). (Rookwood School), an independent day and boarding school, caters for pupils aged 3 to 18. Another local independent school is (Farleigh School), a Catholic prep school. There is one (sixth form) provision, (Andover College), formerly known as Cricklade College.

• (Nigel Spackman) was a local football player who began his career for (Andover) before moving to (AFC Bournemouth) and (Chelsea). From there, he enjoyed a successful career culminating with winning the English league championship with (Liverpool), and numerous Scottish league and cup winners medals with (Rangers). Since retiring, he has ventured into club management as well as becoming a television football pundit.
• (Bill Rawlings) was another Andoverian who began his career at the club. He went on to join (Southampton) in 1919 where he had a successful career scoring 175 goals in 327 league appearances, making him their third all-time goalscorer behind (Mick Channon) and (Matthew Le Tissier). He also won two (England) caps in 1922 against (Wales) and (Scotland) respectively. He also played for (Manchester United) and (Port Vale).
• (Lucinda Green), champion equestrian and journalist who won a silver medal at the (1984 Summer Olympics) as well as two world titles, was born in Andover in 1953.
• (Kate Howey), (judoka), competed at four Olympic games, winning a silver medal in (2000) and a bronze medal in (1992). Howey was born in Andover in 1973. In (2004) she carried the British flag at the opening ceremony in (Athens).
• (Ronnie Bond), (Pete Staples)^[] and (Reg Presley) of (the Troggs), a rock band who had a number of hits in Britain and the United States such as "(Wild Thing)" and "(Love Is All Around)", were all born in Andover.
• The eminent 19th-century surgeon (William Morrant Baker) was also born in the town. He was best known for describing the condition (Baker's cyst) as well as being a lecturer, surgeon and governor at (St. Bartholomew's Hospital).
• (Sam Baker), novelist and editor in chief of Red Magazine, and previously editor of (Cosmopolitan) and (Just Seventeen) among other women's magazines, lived in the area as a child and went to Andover's Anton School, Winton School and Cricklade Sixth Form College.
• Author and winemaker (Cyril Berry) lived in the town and served as its mayor in 1972–1973.
• Campaigner and broadcaster (Katie Piper) was brought up in Andover and retains strong links to the town.
• TV Presenter (Richard Arnold) was born in (Hampshire). He grew up in Charlton, Andover, and went to Portway Junior School in Andover.
• (Roger Panes), a member of the (Exclusive Brethren) Christian evangelical (cult), killed his family and himself in Andover in 1974.
• (Lord Denning), judge and Master of the Rolls, attended Andover Grammar School from 1 October 1909.
• (Hanson Turner) is a recipient of the (Victoria Cross).
• (Basil Hayles) (1916–2007), first-class cricketer and British Army officer
• (Joanna Jensen) (born 1970), businesswoman specializing in skin care

• (Cricket): (Andover Cricket Club) play in the (Southern Premier Cricket League).
• (Football): The town has two (Non-League football) clubs, (Andover New Street F.C.) which play at Foxcotte Park and (Andover Town F.C.) who play at the Portway Stadium. Andover was home to former (Southern League) side, (Andover Football Club), which was dissolved in the summer of 2011. Andover Lions F.C., a new club formed shortly afterwards, competed in the (Hampshire League 2004) and (Hampshire Premier League) between 2011 and 2017.
• (Hockey): Andover is home to Andover Hockey Club.
• (Rugby Union): Andover R.F.C. are based in the town.
• Cycling: Andover is home to the Andover Wheelers.
• (Triathlon): Andover is home to the Andover Triathlon Club.
• (Archery): Andover is home to the Andover Archer Club.
• (Lawn Bowls): Bowls has been played in Andover since 1913.

In (Agatha Christie)'s (Hercule Poirot) mystery (The A.B.C. Murders), Andover is the site of the first murder.^[]

Andover is (twinned) with the towns of (Redon) in France,(Goch) in Germany, and (Andover, Massachusetts) in the United States.

• (Amport House)
• (Andover workhouse scandal)
• (The Angel Inn) – a 15th-century medieval coaching inn and the oldest building in Andover
• (Army Air Corps)
• (Caldera UK) (1996–1999), developers of OpenDOS/DR-DOS and WebSpyder

• Body, G. (1984), PSL Field Guides – Railways of the Southern Region, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Cambridge, ISBN

• "Andover (1.)". (Encyclopædia Britannica). Vol.II (9thed.). 1878. p.18.
• "Andover". (Encyclopædia Britannica). Vol.1 (11thed.). 1911. pp.966–967.
• Andover Town Council
• Andover photos, history and memories – Francis Frith