Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


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



<p>Twisty streets, chocolate box thatched cottages – a move to Romsey has plenty to recommend it. Whatever your dream home looks like, there&#8217;s a good range of property, from town houses and terraces to pretty cottages, solid Victorian houses and modern suburbans. Add thriving independent shops, cafés and eateries, stunning surrounding countryside and the beautiful River Test to the mix – plus an excellent choice of schools for families &#8211; and it&#8217;s easy to see why Romsey makes a very appealing place to live for town and country types alike.</p>



<p>Fun facts for your first dinner party as a proud Romsonian? Notable former residents of the town include the&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_John_Temple,_3rd_Viscount_Palmerston" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twice British Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florence Nightingale</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Mountbatten,_1st_Earl_Mountbatten_of_Burma">Lord Mountbatten</a>, uncle to Prince Philip,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilbert_Awdry">Wilbert Awdry</a>, author of <em>Thomas the Tank Engine</em> and&nbsp;the TV garden pro, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Dimmock" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charlie Dimmock</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</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/17/2023/03/Kimbridge-Barn-24-Tea-Room.jpg" alt="Kimbridge Barn Hampshire Romsey" class="wp-image-33118" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Kimbridge-Barn-24-Tea-Room.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Kimbridge-Barn-24-Tea-Room-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Kimbridge-Barn-24-Tea-Room-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kimbridge Barn</figcaption></figure>



<p>Decent cappuccino, lazy weekend lunch or slap-up afternoon tea? You&#8217;ll be totally spoiled for choice at Romsey&#8217;s brilliant independent cafés. Well-rated places for brunch include <a href="https://www.dishdelikitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dish</a> deli shop and café on Latimer Street, and the always reliably good, Muddy Award-winning, <a href="https://www.josieswinecoffee.com/our-shops" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Josie&#8217;s</a> outpost.</p>



<p>Also in town, the cosy <a href="https://www.teacupsromsey.com/menu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tea Cups</a> has a great veggie and vegan-friendly menu, locally-sourced sausages for meat-lovers and moreish homemade cakes. And just ten minutes&#8217; drive away, <a href="https://www.idealcollection.co.uk/venues/kimbridge-barn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimbridge Barn</a> café and events venue has delicious, spoil-yourself afternoon teas in a beautiful countryside setting.</p>



<p>Romsey has plenty of decent restaurants and watering holes, too. Francophiles will love <a href="https://www.la-parisienne.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Parisienne</a>, a romantic, characterful French brasserie. <a href="https://www.olivebynicholasjames.com/">Olive By Nicholas James</a> is a modern, pub-restaurant in a heritage building with bistro-style menu. And always lively, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theexchangeromsey14/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Exchange Romsey</a> serves up top tapas and cocktails. </p>



<p>Pubs-wise, the <a href="https://www.whitehorsehotelromsey.co.uk/">White Horse Romsey</a> is a characterful 14th century coaching inn with rooms, a smart restaurant and a casual coffee house. The snug bar at the <a href="https://www.cockyanchor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cocky Anchor pub</a> is perfect for cosy drinks, with views of Romsey Abbey from the beer garden. And just outside of town, the 16th Century riverside <a href="https://www.thedukeonthetest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke on the Test</a> is a cosy, heritage inn with contemporary interiors, gastro-menu and rooms.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="777" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/108-The-Bakery-bread-1000x777.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35281" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/108-The-Bakery-bread-1000x777.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/108-The-Bakery-bread-800x622.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/108-The-Bakery-bread-768x597.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/108-The-Bakery-bread.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/108thebakery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@108thebakery</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Romsey&#8217;s thriving independent retail scene is well supported by well-heeled locals. Regular markets are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the Corn Market, with a <a href="https://www.southcentralmakers.co.uk/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Makers Market</a> on Sundays and the Hampshire Farmers Market on the first Sunday of every month.</p>



<p>Stock up sustainably at the Muddy Award-winning <a href="https://lemonandjinja.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lemon &amp; Jinja</a> zero waste refill shop and café at Belbins Business Park. Another Muddy and Great Taste Award winner, <a href="https://www.108thebakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">108 The Bakery</a> is a must for tasty sourdoughs and fresh pastries. Craft beer fans can take a tour of the town&#8217;s <a href="https://www.flackmanor.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flack Manor Brewery</a>, then pick up their favourite brews at the onsite shop.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.bradbeers.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradbeers</a>, is a proper family-run department store complete with lingerie, haberdashery, perfumerie, label clothing and homeware. For fashion, have a mooch around <a href="https://www.instagram.com/25_bell_street/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Regatta</a> boutique on Bell Street. Popular tailor and menswear store, <a href="https://cavendishmenswear.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cavendish Romsey</a>, also has a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cavendish_womens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">country-chic womenswear store</a> directly opposite on Bell Street.</p>



<p>Interiors-wise, there&#8217;s some gorgeous art and crafts from local makers along with regular workshops at <a href="https://forestandcove.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest and Cove</a>. Always moochable, <a href="https://www.theconsortiumonline.co.uk/pages/romsey-shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Consortium</a>, sister shop to Winchester has stylish vintage and antique homeware. Another lovely Romsey independent, head to <a href="https://figandfox.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fig &amp; Fox</a>, a coffee, interiors and gift shop.</p>



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



<p>Being in the Test Valley, you&#8217;ll find some stunning spots for a mindful walk, including stretches of <a href="https://www.visitromsey.org/walks/the-test-way" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Test Way</a> and <a href="https://www.visitromsey.org/visit/fishlake-meadows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishlake Meadows</a> wetlands and nature reserve. Combining nature and yoga, <a href="https://www.wildmeadow.co.uk/">Wild Meadow</a> run day retreats in beautiful countryside, while local teacher Louise Slimm of <a href="https://www.theyogawoods.com/">The Yoga Woods</a> practices at locations around Romsey, including (weather permitting) the great outdoors. Need a little TLC? Alongside manicures and beauty treatments, the Muddy Award Winning <a href="https://www.pottersbeautybarn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Potters Beauty Barn</a> at the nearby Potters Heron offers massage and reflexology. </p>



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



<p>An annual summer fixture in Romsey since 1993, local musicians come together to perform an eclectic mix of Folk, Blues,&nbsp;Jazz, Soul,&nbsp;Rock,&nbsp;Bluegrass and classical&nbsp;music at the town&#8217;s <a href="https://www.beggarsfair.org.uk/">Beggars Fair</a> festival. Speaking of good acoustics &#8211; quite literally in the heart of the community, the magnificent <a href="https://www.romseyabbey.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romsey Abbey</a> hosts lots of events, from music recitals to parish teas. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2.jpg" alt="Mottisfont Abbey National Trust house estate Romsey" class="wp-image-26403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/04/Mottisfont-house-exterior-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mottisfont Abbey National Trust</figcaption></figure>



<p>Romsey has lots to explore right on the doorstep, like the magnificent <a href="https://www.romseyabbey.org.uk/visit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norman Abbey</a>, nearby <a href="https://kingjohnshouse.org.uk/">King John&#8217;s House medieval house and museum</a> (with its rather delightful <a href="https://kingjohnshouse.org.uk/your-visit/tudor-tea-room/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miss Moody tearoom</a>), and <a href="https://romseysignalbox.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romsey Signal Box</a>, a hands-on museum and an absolute must for <em>Thomas the Tank Engine</em> fans.</p>



<p>Just outside of the town, <a href="https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/fishlake-meadows" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishlake meadows nature reserve</a> wetland, is a haven for wildlife, from hunting ospreys and bitterns and cuckoos to otters, water voles and dragonflies. And <a href="https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/hilliergardens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sir Harold Hillier Gardens</a>, a 180-acre arboretum filled with 42,000 trees and shrubs is also just a few miles away.</p>



<p>Five miles and around 10 mins by car, National Trust big hitter <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/mottisfont-near-romsey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mottisfont</a> is a romantic 18th-century house and gallery, built around a medieval priory and surrounded by ancient trees, rolling lawns and wetlands. And down towards the New Forest, <a href="https://paultonspark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paulton&#8217;s Park</a> (home of every tot&#8217;s favourite piggie family) is just ten minutes&#8217; drive.</p>



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



<p>Romsey&#8217;s thriving Amateur&nbsp;Operatic and&nbsp;Dramatic&nbsp;Society&nbsp;owns and operates the town&#8217;s Art Deco <a href="https://www.plazatheatre.com/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plaza Theatre</a>, hosting musical tours, comedy and their own productions. For the big West End touring shows, <a href="https://www.mayflower.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Mayflower Theatre</a> in Southampton is just 15 mins drive.</p>



<p>Still in the Mountbatten family, <a href="https://www.broadlandsestates.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadlands</a> hosts concerts and events in the sprawling grounds of the Palladian style mansion estate, including the annual <a href="https://romseyshow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romsey Show</a>, a celebration of all things countryside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Houses in Romsey have an average price of £374,823, with terraced properties, selling for an average price of £342,693 and detached properties fetching £573,523.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Romsey-House.jpeg" alt="House for sale in Romsey Hampshire best places to live" class="wp-image-35278" style="aspect-ratio:1.501466275659824;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Romsey-House.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Romsey-House-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Romsey-House-1000x666.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/09/Romsey-House-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Close to town, a 4 bed detached house with conservatory and summer house. <a href="https://michaelrhodes.co.uk/details/?ID=rps_mir-ROM240191" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for offers over £850,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>Centrally located, <a href="https://www.romseyprimary.co.uk/About-Us/Our-Nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romsey Primary School &amp; Nursery</a> takes children from 2 yrs 9 mths. In the grounds of Romsey Community School,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.little-sunlights-nursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Sunlights Nursery</a> is open to babies from four months to four years (both rated as Good by Ofsted). Also attached to a school, <a href="https://www.chatterboxcommunitypreschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chatterbox Community Pre-School</a> for children aged two years upwards, rated Outstanding. Wellow Primary School has a <a href="https://www.wellow.hants.sch.uk/Welcome-to-Preschool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-school</a> for children aged 2+ yrs. There&#8217;s also <a href="https://woodleypreschool.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodley pre-school</a>, beside Cupernham School. For outdoorsy tots, <a href="https://www.abbotswooddaynursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbotswood Pre-school and Day Nursery</a> sits beside a nature reserve for babies from 3 mths  to preschoolers, all with a Good Ofsted rating.</p>



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



<p>Romsey has a big choice of schools. <a href="https://www.halterworth.hants.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halterworth Community Primary</a> is rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, while <a href="https://www.romseyabbeyschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Romsey Abbey C of E</a>, <a href="https://www.awbridge.hants.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Awbridge</a> and <a href="https://www.braishfield.hants.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Braishfield</a> Primaries and <a href="https://www.cupernhaminfant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cupernham Infants</a> and Juniors and <a href="https://www.wellow.hants.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellow Primary</a> are all Good. Secondaries <a href="https://www.romsey.hants.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Romsey School</a> and <a href="https://www.mountbatten.school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mountbatten School</a> are also Good. Independents here are <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/stroud-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Edward VI Preparatory School</a>, rated Excellent by the ISI and <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/embley-romsey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Embley</a>, a bucolic, co-ed Nursery, Prep and Senior boarding and day&nbsp;through school&nbsp;for 2 – 18 yr olds, also well rated by parents and the ISI.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Tucked away in the grounds of the centrally-located Wisdom House, there&#8217;s a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wisdomhouseromsey.org.uk/labyrinth-and-grounds/" target="_blank">spiritual labyrinth</a> that spirals around in a meandering but purposeful path (deep, huh?). If you feel like a mindful walk, it&#8217;s open to the public to explore.</p>



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



<p>Trains run regularly to Southampton (10-30 mins); Salisbury (20 mins); Bournemouth (one hour) and Winchester (40 mins). Romsey is well located for journeys by car to Southampton (20 mins drive) and Winchester in just under half an hour. There isn&#8217;t a straightforward commute to London but with a change at Southampton, Waterloo is around an hour and forty minutes away by train.</p>



<p>Main image ©&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/3972" target="_blank">Colin Smith</a>&nbsp;(cc-by-sa/2.0)</p>



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


Romsey

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