Bramshott and Liphook shares Hampshire Village of the Year 2026 with Yateley. Judges cited the carnival, Canada Day and its volunteers; Lindford was commended too.

Bramshott and Liphook has been named joint Hampshire Village of the Year 2026. It shares the title with Yateley, in the north of the county. Liphook is about eight miles north-east of Petersfield.

The award is run by the Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC). The results were announced on Wednesday 23 September at a presentation evening at The Key Centre in Elvetham Heath, according to HALC. Hook was named runner-up.

HALC’s judges visited the entrants over the summer. It says the standard was “exceptionally high”, and that after careful consideration the judges chose two joint overall winners rather than one.

What the judges picked out

HALC says Bramshott and Liphook impressed the judges with “the breadth of activities and services across its community”. Its write-up singles out:

  • the contribution of local organisations and volunteers
  • support for residents at different stages of life
  • the Liphook Carnival
  • the Canada Day Commemoration
  • Picnic on the Green

The parish also came away with a second certificate. It was runner-up for Best Community Event in the large village category, behind Chandler’s Ford.

Three people from Bramshott and Liphook standing in a function room, holding the Village of the Year plaque, a joint winner certificate and a runner-up certificate for Best Community Event.
Bramshott and Liphook's representatives with the plaque and both certificates at the presentation evening. Photo: supplied by Bramshott & Liphook Parish Council.

What the parish council said

The parish council announced the win the next morning. It said the judges praised “its strong volunteering spirit, and the way residents of all ages come together to support one another”.

It was also candid about the place. “While Bramshott & Liphook may not be a traditional ‘picture-postcard’ village, it is a place defined by the beauty of its people, not its buildings,” the council said.

Its own list of what won it the title runs wider than HALC’s. It names Carnival Night, Canada Day, Picnic on the Green, Open Gardens, the Day Centre, Liphook in Bloom and MAD Company. “This award belongs to every volunteer, every organiser, every resident who gives their time,” it said.

Several of those groups are backed by the parish precept. The council’s June 2026 update says it gives the carnival £3,000 a year and Liphook in Bloom £2,000. It handed out £21,000 in grants to local organisations over the year.

Lindford commended too

One other East Hampshire parish was recognised. Lindford, next to Bordon, was highly commended for Best Recreational Facilities, an award won by Hook.

Lindford was in our news last week for a different reason. The district council has granted £25,000 towards a new sensory park at The Triangle.

The full results

Award Winner Runner-up and other recognition
Village of the Year 2026 Yateley and Bramshott & Liphook (joint) Hook
Best Open Space Hamble Allbrook; highly commended: Rooksdown
Best Recreational Facilities Hook Awbridge; highly commended: Lindford
Best Youth Initiative Yateley South Wonston
Best Community Health Scheme Eversley
Best Community Initiative Odiham Rooksdown
Excellence in Localism Owslebury and Morestead
Most Inspiring Place Elvetham Heath Odiham
Best Community Event Chandler’s Ford Owslebury and Morestead (small village); Bramshott & Liphook (large village)
Best Small Village Awbridge Eversley
Excellence in Community Engagement (Steve Lugg Trophy) Wellow Hamble

Each award went to the parish or town council that entered. The table uses the place names for short. Full council names are on HALC’s results page. The 2026 competition was sponsored by the play equipment maker KOMPAN.

What it means for you

If you live in Liphook, Bramshott or Passfield, the title is a recognition of groups you can join. The parish council lists its meetings, grants and events on its website, and it is the first place to ask about volunteering for the carnival or Picnic on the Green.

Local groups can also apply to the parish council for a grant. The council says it supports organisations each year, including with free use of its halls and grounds.

In Petersfield, the town’s own community calendar is on our things to do in Petersfield page.

Sources