A country in the South East of England, Hampshire has a population of 1.8 million. And it stays among the list of England’s biggest ceremonial counties. A distinguishably green country, 45% of Hampshire’s land area is covered by the South Downs and the New Forest.
People living here can have the benefit of some jaw-dropping coastal scenery and beaches as the county extends down to the English South Coast. There’s no doubt as to why people might want to make a home out of this county and if you’re in the planning phase then here we have listed some of the best places to live in Hampshire.
1. Winchester
The county town of Hampshire – Winchester, was voted in 2019 as Britain’s happiest place to live in. The history of this town extends pretty much into the past as there were inhabitants here since ancient times.
Visibly noticed in its ancient city walls and beautiful cathedrals, Winchester carries a rich history that dates back to 1079 and it is also among the largest in Europe. Winchester provides a simple route to London for professionals seeking to commute out of the city.
There are 103 trains running between Winchester and London, on a typical weekday and your average journey time will be 1 hour 25 minutes.
2. Southampton
Southampton is a place especially for the people looking for a blend of Hampshire’s stunning countryside with the convenience of city living. This city has all the hype of a modern cosmopolitan city while it’s home to 250,000 residents but it also comes with a package of easily accessible forests and green space.
The plenty of student populations of the University of Southampton and Solent University keep the atmosphere in this city vibrant and alive. With numerous beaches along the coast that have been considered as the most picturesque in the UK, Southampton also has Maritime events happening such as the Southampton Boat Show (the largest of its kind in Europe).
3. Portsmouth
UK’s only island city Portsmouth is known for so much else. There are several museums in this city, among which there is a natural history museum and one that is dedicated to Arthur Conan Doyle (author of Sherlock Holmes).
The residents, therefore, have lots of items to observe over the weekend. The Mary Rose Museum is a specific highlight, it is well-known for its namesake Tudor ship and holds status as the favorite vessel of Henry VIII.
The population of Portsmouth is 238,000, among which 20,000 are students attending the University of Portsmouth. There’s also much to do for retail enthusiasts in this city as there are several shopping centers including Gunwharf Keys, known for being the South Coast’s leading outlet.
4. Eastleigh
Eastleigh will offer you a blend of a colorful life with a historical setting while also letting you have easy access to the countryside. Being the largest town in Hampshire, Eastleigh will provide you a modern, citified living in a stunning setting specified by period buildings, some of which backdate to hundreds of years.
Eastleigh actually consists of 180 listed buildings and eight scheduled historical testaments (the town was formed around a Roman road). Residents will have enough opportunity to relish the outdoors as Eastleigh is only a 20-minute drive far from the New Forest National Park.
5. Fleet
Located in the local authority of Hart, Fleet has its name among Hampshire’s most sought-after places to live in. With a population of 36,000, Fleet was ranked continuously as the happiest place in the UK to live from 2011 and 2015. With the conduction of yearly events, a half marathon, a beer festival, and a fireworks display, Fleet encompasses a vibrant local community.
There is Fleet Pond nature reserve, home of the biggest freshwater lake in Hampshire, for nature lovers to spend time at. Fleet also has a fast rail connection to London, offering convenient links to and from the city for people who want to commute, in only 58 minutes on average.
6. Basingstoke
Basingstoke may not be the most glamorous of locations in Hampshire, but it is definitely just the right place for families to put down roots.
Bordered by beautiful countryside, Basingstoke is an axis for digital technology and was listed in 2019 among the top 5 locations in the UK for the investment sector. At the heart of the town, you’ll find a great music venue, also, theatre, arts and an impressively lined up range of shops.
7. Fareham
Mainly popular with retirees, Fareham gives you the ease of access to cities, countryside, and coast. While being suitably sandwiched between Southampton to the west and Portsmouth to the east, Fareham contains all the charms of a traditional market town. You’ll find many handsome Georgian properties across the town as Fareham has always been the traditional home of naval officers.
8. Hayling Island
With its rich military history and being home to incredible sporting and leisure facilities, it isn’t hard to see why Hayling Island is the place to be. The island has miles of unspoiled coastline and countryside, offering a haven of peace and tranquillity, where the residents can choose to walk, cycle or relax.
Being at appropriate proximity to Portsmouth, Chichester and Emsworth makes it just the right place to live with charms such as Southsea Castle and Staunton Country Park nearby.
9. Alton
A welcoming, flourishing country market town, Alton carries a fascinating history. This town offers you a delightful blend of historic buildings juxtaposed with arcades and modern shops. Throughout the year the town hosts several markets and fairs and every Tuesday is marked as market day.
10. Andover
Located in the north of the beautiful Test Valley in Hampshire, Andover is an attractive market town carrying a rich heritage that dates back to Saxon times.
There are many museums outlining the town’s Iron Age and the eminent role it played in the two world wars.
For people who enjoy walking and nature lovers, Andover is just the place to be as it houses the lovely Test Way walking trail and the Hawk Conservancy Trust.