Petersfield is a market community as well as civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire. The 2011 census taped the population as being 14,974. The town has its own train station on the Portsmouth Direct Line, the mainline rail link attaching Portsmouth as well as London. Positioned on the northern inclines of the South Downs, Petersfield lies completely within the South Downs National Forest. The community was established during the 12th century by William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester. The community expanded in prosperity due to its position on regularly taken a trip paths, local sheep farming, and also cottage industries including natural leather as well as fabric. There were once a week markets in the town square for sheep, horse and also cattle trading, and also 2 yearly fairs, in June (on the feast of St Peter as well as St Paul) and November (on the feast of St Andrew). An autumn fair which began in the very early 19th century was kept in October on The Heath, called "The Taro Fair". Petersfield's market square holds markets, and there are additionally regular monthly Farmers' markets. Stallholders and also farmers from Petersfield's French twin town Barentin visit Petersfield and hold a French market. Petersfield has a number of public residences as well as bars. Petersfield has one nightclub, Vertigo. This is housed in the old Savoy movie theater, a 1930's building used as a cinema till its closure in 1985. Petersfield has 2 museums, both run by the Petersfield Gallery Trust Fund. Petersfield's Event Hall shows plays and concerts throughout the year. Petersfield has a variety of clubs as well as teams for sporting activities. There is employment in shops and also workplaces in the community centre, and farms in nearby villages, while various other individuals commute to London and Portsmouth. Light industry includes Whitman Laboratories (part of Estée Lauder). For every one of your residence improvements, make certain to identify credible professionals in Petersfield to make particular of top quality.