Hampshire's most mispronounced place names and the fascinating stories behind them

Editor

Published 25th May 2025, 23:01 BST

Steeped in Anglo-Saxon history, Hampshire’s place names are often a little easier for people to work out how to pronounce than it is for other areas of the country. Especially compared to those with place names which derive from Irish, Scots, English and even the Vikings.

But just because us locals (mostly) know how to correctly pronounce our cities, towns and villages, it does not mean that many visitors do.

Here are just 15 of the names of places across Hampshire which can be mangled by visitors. What would you add?

Beaulieu is pronounced "Bew-lee" but is sometimes mispronounced as "Beau-lieu". The village located on the edge of the New Forest is home to both Palace House and the National Motor Museum. In 2020, it was named the fifth most beautiful village in the UK.
Pictured: Palace House at Beaulieu

1. Beaulieu

Beaulieu is pronounced "Bew-lee" but is sometimes mispronounced as "Beau-lieu". The village located on the edge of the New Forest is home to both Palace House and the National Motor Museum. In 2020, it was named the fifth most beautiful village in the UK. Pictured: Palace House at Beaulieu Photo: Submitted

Alresford is pronounced "Alls-ford" but is sometimes mispronounced as"Al-res-ford". The Georgian town is loved by the foodies and it is home to lovely independent boutiques as well as tearooms and s the home of the Watercress Line. Known by 'New Alresford' by some and simply 'Alresford' by others, it sits next to 'Old Alresford'!

2. Alresford

Alresford is pronounced "Alls-ford" but is sometimes mispronounced as"Al-res-ford". The Georgian town is loved by the foodies and it is home to lovely independent boutiques as well as tearooms and s the home of the Watercress Line. Known by 'New Alresford' by some and simply 'Alresford' by others, it sits next to 'Old Alresford'! Photo: Google

Broughton in the Test Valley is pronounced "Braw-ton" but is sometimes mispronounced as "Brought-on". There are only 450 homes, and just under 1,000 people living there with domestic architecture spanning 600 years.

3. Broughton

Broughton in the Test Valley is pronounced "Braw-ton" but is sometimes mispronounced as "Brought-on". There are only 450 homes, and just under 1,000 people living there with domestic architecture spanning 600 years. | Wikipedia

Fawley is pronounced "Faw-lee" but can be mispronounced as "Fawl-eye". The New Forest Village is is also the site of Fawley Refinery, operated by ExxonMobil, which is the largest facility of its kind in the United Kingdom. The decommissioned Fawley Power Station is also located less than a mile to the south east of the village - the tower as a landmark for a number of years before it was demolished.

4. Fawley

Fawley is pronounced "Faw-lee" but can be mispronounced as "Fawl-eye". The New Forest Village is is also the site of Fawley Refinery, operated by ExxonMobil, which is the largest facility of its kind in the United Kingdom. The decommissioned Fawley Power Station is also located less than a mile to the south east of the village - the tower as a landmark for a number of years before it was demolished. | Google Photo: Google