Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>A well-kept secret sitting quietly near the source of the River Test, the charming North Hampshire village of Overton is very well connected (but doesn’t like to shout about it) and even lays claim to a Jane Austen connection: Hampshire’s First Daughter was born a stone’s throw away in the village of Steventon. The village centre is a charming patchwork of period property: leaning 17th century timber-framing, thatched cottages, bijou terraces and more contemporary newer builds. Given the quick train ride into London you get a lot more property for your money here than you might imagine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1360" height="907" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak.jpg" alt="Steak and chips at The White Hart Overton" class="wp-image-32119" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak.jpg 1360w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/White-Hart-Overton-steak-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1360px) 100vw, 1360px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The White Hart</figcaption></figure>



<p>Overton doesn’t lack for watering holes. Sitting at the crossroads, <a href="https://www.whitehartoverton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Hart</a> was built in 1442. The oldest inn in the village with rooms upstairs, it’s a real social hub with a sizeable menu of brunches, tapas, steak and other pub classics, along with a very tasty Sunday Roast. Also in the village, <a href="https://www.thegreyhoundoverton.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a> and <a href="https://www.theredlionoverton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Red Lion</a> are both local favourites serving up very decent pub grub. When you fancy something different, Fuller’s pub <a href="http://www.theoldhouseathome.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old House at Home</a> has a Thai restaurant. There’s also a lot of love for the village Italian, <a href="https://amore-overton.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amore Overton</a>, which has an absolute bargain midweek set lunch menu. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327.jpg" alt="No1 George Street fashion boutique Overton Hampshire" class="wp-image-35384" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/10/Untitled-design-327-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">No1 George Street</figcaption></figure>



<p>Unlike other towns and villages, Overton has hung on to many essential local shops and services, like the doctors, pharmacy, vets, library, butchers, bakery, Post Office, greengrocer. There’s even a wine merchant (bonus).</p>



<p>Now in London Road in Overton, indie lifestyle boutique <a href="https://www.no1georgestreet.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No1 George Street</a> moved here from Kingsclere and kept the name, bringing with it fashion finds, gifts and homeware. Grab a coffee in the cafe and browse the art, gifts, homewares at <a href="https://overtongallery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overton Gallery</a>. An Aladdin’s cave filled with everything from pet supplies to DIY, decorative items and miscellanea, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Overton-Emporia-100089950475683/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emporia Overton</a> has a courtyard café for coffees, milkshakes and weekend fry-ups. And for more indies or big brands, Basingstoke, Newbury and Winchester are just a short drive. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Beautiful walks abound all around Overton, taking in the River Test chalk stream and to the North, the Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the beautiful Watership Down walk towards Kingsclere.</p>



<p>Located on an organic farm, <a href="https://www.wisteriabeautique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wisteria Beautique</a> near Hartley Wintney offers all kinds of beauty and wellbeing treatments, including reflexology, Indian head massage and sound healing. Spa day? The exclusive <a href="https://bothy.heckfieldplace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bothy Spa</a> at Heckfield Place is a short drive away. Or break for the Berks border and the luxe <a href="https://www.the-vineyard.co.uk/spa/spa-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spa at The Vineyard at Stockcross</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>A real hub in the village (along with the friendly pubs), Overton&#8217;s trustee-run <a href="https://www.overtoncommunitycentre.org.uk/community/overton-community-centre-20551/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">community centre</a> is home to a library and playgroup and all kinds of clubs and societies &#8211; including the village wine club.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285.jpg" alt="The Base Greenham Common exhibition" class="wp-image-20437" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/11/Quentin-Blake-The-Base-e1602150864285-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Base Greenham</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s not a huge space but&nbsp;<a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-base-greenham-common/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Base</a>&nbsp;in nearby Greenham Common attracts some big-name exhibitions. The nearest theatres to Overton are <a href="https://www.watermill.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Anvil</a>, a 1,400-seater concert hall and the 400-seat, Grade II-listed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Haymarket</a>&nbsp;Theatre, both in Basingstoke. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://www.watermill.org.uk/">The Watermill Theatre,</a> just over the Berks border in Bagnor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small.jpg" alt="Bombay Sapphire Distillery" class="wp-image-26033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/03/Bombay-Sapphire-Glass-House-small-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Notable landmarks? From the 18th Century right up until 2022, Overton made banknote paper for the Bank of England at nearby Laverstoke Mill – now the <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/bombay-sapphire-distillery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bombay Sapphire Distillery</a>, with its iconic intertwining glass houses offering  tours, tastings and gin cocktail shaking. </p>



<p>Also near here is Laverstoke Park Farm, the organic and biodynamic farm owned by ex-racing driver and Formula One World Champion Jody Scheckter (now in the tractor lane) and home to Chris Evans’ annual CarFest festival.</p>



<p>For real ‘upstairs, downstairs’ inside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a>, star of Downton Abbey, less than 20 mins drive. And it’s also a similar short hop from Overton to National Trust property <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-vyne-basingstoke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Vyne</a>, a favourite weekend spot of King Henry VII.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Most properties sold in Overton in the last year were&nbsp;semi-detached properties averaging £463,962. Detached properties fetched £617,444.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Overton-house-BPTL-1.jpeg" alt="House for sale Overton Hampshire Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-34581" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Overton-house-BPTL-1.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Overton-house-BPTL-1-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Overton-house-BPTL-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Overton-house-BPTL-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A detached, Grade II listed late 18th century 3-bed cottage. <a href="https://brockenhurst.info/property/southington-overton-hampshire-rg25-3da/887948/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £800,000.</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>Overton’s <a href="https://www.littlestepsmontessori.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Steps</a> Montessori Nursery School and <a href="https://www.overtonplaygroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Overton Preschool</a> playgroup are both rated as Outstanding by Ofsted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Great options all round. At their last inspections, <a href="https://www.overtonprimary.co.uk/">Overton Church of England Primary</a> and <a href="https://www.testbourne.school/">Testbourne Community School</a> at Whitchuch were judged Outstanding by Ofsted. Many go on to <a href="https://www.psc.ac.uk/">Peter Symonds Sixth Form College in Winchester</a> (also outstanding) using the regular public bus service.</p>



<p>For independents, there’s <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/cheam-school-2/">Cheam School</a> and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-gabriels-senior-school-newbury-berkshire/#:~:text=St%20Gabriel%27s%20in%20Newbury%20is,independence%20at%20their%20own%20pace.">St Gabriel’s</a>, both near Newbury, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/sherfield-school-hook/">Sherfield School</a>, a co-ed day school near Hook, <a href="https://www.wellesleyprepschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellesley Prep School</a> in Stratfield Turgis and <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/lord-wandsworth-college/">Lords Wandsworth College</a>, a co-ed day and boarding senior school in Long Sutton, all reachable in around 30 mins or less.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Locals togged in fancy dress have an absolute blast running (or sitting) in the annual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/overtonwheelbarrow/">Overton wheelbarrow race</a>, held on and off over the last 30 years. Those who aren’t taking part come out in force to cheer them on and have a pint afterwards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>Just 8 miles’ away, Overton’s mainline station runs to Basingstoke in 8 – 9 mins and London Waterloo in under an hour. Winchester and Newbury are both reachable by car in around 30 mins.</p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Overton

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