Lightwater

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.3506
longitude= -0.6672
official_name= Lightwater
map_type= Surrey
static_

static_image_caption=Lightwater war memorial and rose garden

population = 6,691 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5942911&c=GU18+5XZ&d=14&e=16&g=491974&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 Census data] ]
shire_district= Surrey Heath
shire_county = Surrey
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Surrey Heath
post_town= Lightwater
postcode_district = GU18
postcode_area= GU
dial_code= 01276
os_grid_reference= SU929621

Lightwater is a village in the Surrey Heath district of Surrey, England about 27 miles to the south-west of London. Immediately surrounding towns and villages include Bagshot, Deepcut, Windlesham and West End. The village is bounded to the north west by the M3, to the north east by the Lightwater bypass. To the south east, it is bounded by the Red Road whilst to the south west there is the vehicle testing tracks owned by the Ministry of Defence.Prior to development, the natural vegetation was part of the Surrey heathland as seen in Bagshot and Chobham Common. The region has been inhabited since pre-historic times with tumuli in the heathland of Grayshott to the south of the village.

In modern times, Lightwater grew as a place with holiday homes in a chalet-style for people living in London. Since 1960 it has grown rapidly with housing estates growing in the area just north of Red Road and the military ranges around Greyspot.

The village has full medical facilities and veterinary surgery, its own library, pubs, post office and bank, a range of shops and petrol station.

Despite Lightwater being larger in size, the nearest train station is located in Bagshot. This reflects the fact that Bagshot used to be a more important town lying as a staging post on the London / Portsmouth road. Lightwater has grown in size as a dormitory settlement in recent times. In the adjacent 1890s map of the area, Bagshot is a notable town whilst Lightwater is noted just as a farm.

At present, there are delays in obtaining planning permission in the area due to the issue over ground nesting birds. [ [http://www.hershamonline.co.uk/news/article/article_id=8374.html Hersham News & Mail "Council's ruling over rare birds could mean bills of thousands for developers" 01/03/2007] ]

Lightwater Country Park

Lightwater has its own country park, with some one hundred acres of heathland, complete with "nature trail", together with a leisure centre and visitors centre. The park has a view point, called Curley Hill, which gives views of about 250 degrees. From this point Bracknell, Ascot Racecourse, Bagshot Park can be seen to the west of the M3.

Towards the north east, planes landing at Heathrow can be spotted, together with the high rise buildings of the City of London and Canary Wharf. To the east, the taller building of Woking are visible together with the North Downs. Despite surveying a heavily built up area, the vista is overwhelmingly green.

port

The local senior rugby club is Chobham Rugby Club has 6 senior teams, the 1st XV, 2nd XV (Cannons), 3rd XV, 4th XV (Devils), 5th XV (Crusaders)& Veterans (Martyrs).

The 1st XV play in London Division 2 South (Level 6), finishing third in their first season at this level (07/08). All four other senior teams play in the John O'Neil and Partners Surrey Reverse leagues. The Devils won their league cup in the 2006/7 season. Chobham won London 3SW in 2006/07.

There is also a large junior and mini section with many County and Divisional players. One of the products of the youth system, Dan Frazier, has just signed with NEC Harlequins at 18.

References

External links

* [http://www.lightwatervillage.co.uk Village website]
* [http://www.surreyproperty.com/lightwater-aerial-photographs.html Aerial photographs of Lightwater]
* [http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/ParksandRecreationAreas/Lightwatercountrypark.htm Lightwater Country Park]
* [http://lightwater.wordpress.com/about-lightwater-village/ Lightwater Word Press]