Calshot is a coastal village in Hampshire, England. A settlement at the site is believed to have existed since the fifth century AD. It is mentioned as "Cerdicesora" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Hampshire, sometimes historically Southamptonshire or Hamptonshire, (abbr. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of annals narrating the history of the Anglo-Saxons and their settlement in Great Britain. ...

In 1539, Henry VIII ordered the construction of Calshot Castle, at the end of Calshot Spit, to defend the port of Southampton from attack. Its strategic importance continues to the present day, and there is still a military presence in Calshot, though the castle is no longer a manned fort. For other meanings see Henry VIII (disambiguation). ... Calshot Spit is a one mile long, sand and shingle bank located on the southern bank of the open end of Southampton Water on the south coast of England. ... Southampton is a city, unitary authority and major port situated on the south coast of England. ...

Calshot is notable for its role in the development of aircraft and flying boats. It was also at one point home to Lawrence of Arabia. Thomas Edward Lawrence (August 16, 1888 – May 19, 1935), also known as Lawrence of Arabia, and (apparently, among his Arab allies) Aurens or El Aurens, became famous for his role as a British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916–1918. ...

The original hangar from the World War II flying boats remains as an activity centre for watersports (including kite-surfing), climbing, snowboarding and track cycling. There is a small velodrome for the cycling, a small practice slope for practicing board tricks and moderate facilities for climbing and bouldering. There are plans to increase the climbing capacity over the winter (2006) to make it one of the largest in the UK. The climbing grades vary from about 4 to 6c. The centre offers residential and visitor courses. Next to the hangar is a dinghy marina. The approach road passes on the landward side of the spit and there are a large number of beach huts. The spit comprises a flint pebble structure more than 1km long. between it and the main shore is a salt marshy area whith a wealth of wildlife and birds. Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially-built banked tracks or velodromes (but many events are held at older velodromes where the track banking is relatively shallow) using track bicycles. ... Bicycle racing on a velodrome A velodrome is a sporting arena purpose-built for track cycling, i. ...

Following a volcanic eruption in 1961, the population of the Tristan da Cunha islands were evacuated to Calshot. Many evacuees thrived, children attending local schools and adults employed in a variety of local businesses and ships. But problems occurred: a pensioner was mugged and the islanders lacked immunity from ‘flu epidemics and also had to endure the harsh winter of 1962 - 1963. Most of the Islanders returned home, but some of the families decided to stay, and remain a close-knit community centred around a complex of 50 houses called Tristan Close. Motto: Our faith is our strength Anthem: God Save the Queen Capital Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Status Dependency of Saint Helena Official language(s) English Governor Michael Clancy Administrator Mike Hentley Area 201 km²(120. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...

There are spectacular views at night of the Fawley refinery and the power station, lit up. On a clear day, the Spinnaker tower, in Portsmouth can be seen to the East and the Hamble estuary, to the North.

External links

• Article on the history of Calshot from Southern Life magazine
• Calshot Activity Centre

Coordinates: 50°48′N, 1°19′W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...