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Bitterne
Suburb in England / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bitterne is an eastern suburb and ward of Southampton, in the ceremonial county of Hampshire, England.
Quick Facts Area, Population ...
Bitterne | |
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Suburb | |
![]() The pedestrianised area of Bitterne Road is a popular shopping precinct. This is the old junction of the Hedge End and Portsmouth Roads looking east. | |
Location within Southampton | |
Area | 2.47 km2 (0.95 sq mi) |
Population | 13,800 (2011 Census. Ward)[1] |
• Density | 5,587/km2 (14,470/sq mi) |
OS grid reference | SU451129 |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | SOUTHAMPTON |
Postcode district | SO18 |
Dialling code | 023 |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Ambulance | South Central |
UK Parliament | |
50°54′48″N 1°21′42″W |
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Bitterne derives its name not from the similarly named bird, the bittern, but probably from the bend in the River Itchen; the Old English words byht and ærn together mean "house near a bend" or possibly bita ærn; "house of horse bits",[2][3] either most likely a reference to Bitterne Manor House. A reference from the late 11th century spells the name Byterne.[3]
Bitterne Ward comprises the suburbs of Bitterne and Thornhill, and had a population of 13,800 at the 2011 census.[1] The ward borders Sholing Ward and Harefield Ward to the west and north.