Eastleigh in Hampshire is a compact town that grew up in the 19th century around the London and South Western Railway works. It sits on the banks of the River Itchen between Southampton and Winchester, and its rail and aviation heritage is still visible today in the old carriage works and the nearby Southampton Airport (formerly Eastleigh Aerodrome).
Nowadays Eastleigh is a busy commuter and light‑industry town with good road and rail links, a mix of engineering and service businesses, and plenty of green space along the chalk stream of the River Itchen. The town centre has been refreshed in recent years with markets, community events and arts venues, giving it a friendly, working‑town atmosphere rather than a purely suburban feel.