Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


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



<p>Winchester is always a popular option for Londoners longing for a little rural idyll (a fact that’s reflected in the house prices). With its lush, leafy surrounds, foodie&nbsp;hot spots and historic attractions at every turn, you can see why this is the perfect stepping stone&nbsp;for city mice. The nightlife may leave something to be desired but the luxe mix of&nbsp;boutiques, eateries&nbsp;and top-rated schools make a desirable&nbsp;prospect for families of all ages.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1079" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/12/Cobbs-winchester-cafe.jpg" alt="Cafe at Cobbs Winchester" class="wp-image-36087" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/12/Cobbs-winchester-cafe.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/12/Cobbs-winchester-cafe-800x575.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/12/Cobbs-winchester-cafe-1000x719.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/12/Cobbs-winchester-cafe-768x552.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cobbs Winchester</figcaption></figure>



<p>Big names&nbsp;<a aria-label="Rick Stein (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.rickstein.com/restaurants/rick-stein-winchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rick Stein</a> and&nbsp;<a aria-label="Raymond Blanc (opens in a new tab)" href="https://brasserieblanc.com/restaurants/winchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raymond Blanc</a> both have great outposts in the city.  For date night, head for <a aria-label="Inn the Park (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.innthepark.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inn the Park</a>, the casual dining option from the <a aria-label="Chesil Rectory (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.chesilrectory.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chesil Rectory</a>. Wine lovers will love the fantastic vaulted wine room where there&#8217;s a massive 180 vintages to pick from. Ladies-that-lunch do it stylishly at <a aria-label="The Ivy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://theivywinchester.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ivy</a> and there&#8217;s beautiful, celeb-rated Japanese food at&nbsp;<a href="http://kyotokitchen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto Kitchen</a>. And of course, you can’t miss classics like <a href="https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/winchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel du Vin</a>, just a hop and skip from&nbsp;Winchester Cathedral and King Alfred’s statue.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Coffee aficionados will be very well served at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coffee_lab_academy/">Coffee Lab Academy</a> on Little Minster Street. We&#8217;re also big fans of the coffee, tasty cake, Jude&#8217;s ice creams and secret riverside garden at <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/winchester-city-mill/eating-at-winchester-city-mill">Winchester City Mill&#8217;s café</a>. Just out of town in a converted watercress shed in the village of Headbourne Worthy, <a href="https://www.cobbsfarmshops.co.uk/cobbs-winchester">Cobbs Winchester</a> farm shop has a cosy café serving up great coffee and homemade lunches.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min.jpg" alt="The Cart and Horses Kings Worthy Winchester Pub" class="wp-image-34431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/07/Cart-and-Horses-exterior-Heidi-min-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Cart &amp; Horses</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s no shortage of places for a (ye-olde) pint in Winchester and the city&#8217;s pubs have some serious heritage &#8211; like <a href="https://www.wykehamarmswinchester.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wykham Arms</a> next to the Cathedral and 14th Century College, and <a href="https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/hampshire/royal-oak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a>, (possibly the oldest pub in England), tucked away on the Royal Oak Passage off St George&#8217;s Street. Always lively, <a href="https://the.littlepubgroup.co.uk/the-king-alfred" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The King Alfred</a> is a cosy spot with good food and a neighbourhood feel.</p>



<p>A short 10 min drive from the city, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-white-horse-otterbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse at Otterbourne</a> is a brilliant family-friendly pub with relaxed dining menu and great children&#8217;s play area. Or there&#8217;s the brilliant <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/cart-and-horses-kingsworthy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cart and Horses</a> pub in Kings Worthy (<em>above</em>) with loads of indoor and outdoor dining space and a proper foodie menu for all occasions.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1350" height="1366" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/02/The-Hambledon-Winchester.jpg" alt="The-Hambledon-Winchester" class="wp-image-33084" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/02/The-Hambledon-Winchester.jpg 1350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/02/The-Hambledon-Winchester-791x800.jpg 791w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/02/The-Hambledon-Winchester-988x1000.jpg 988w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/02/The-Hambledon-Winchester-768x777.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1350px) 100vw, 1350px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Hambledon</figcaption></figure>



<p>The&nbsp;mix of indie&nbsp;boutiques and highbrow chains&nbsp;largely concentrated around the high street&nbsp;gives&nbsp;Winchester&nbsp;its&nbsp;famous charm – no copy-and-paste retail&nbsp;centres&nbsp;here (for&nbsp;a wider variety, you’ll need to travel slightly further afield).&nbsp;For designer men&#8217;s and womenswear stop in at <a href="https://www.pavilionfashion.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pavilion Fashion</a>. <a aria-label="Mint&nbsp;Tea (opens in a new tab)" href="https://mint-teaboutique.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mint&nbsp;Tea</a> and <a aria-label="Sass &amp; Edge (opens in a new tab)" href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/sass-edge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sass &amp; Edge</a> are our go-to boutiques for gorgeous&nbsp;womenswear, while alternative&nbsp;department store <a aria-label="The&nbsp;Hambledon (opens in a new tab)" href="https://thehambledon.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The&nbsp;Hambledon</a>&nbsp;covers fashion, homewares, kids and gifting.&nbsp;Also a favourite with city shoppers, <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/hb-style-winchester/">H&amp;B Style</a> is packed with cool, quirky and on-trend womenswear, men’s fashion, accessories, gifts, homewares, interior pieces and loads more.</p>



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



<p>From acupuncture to reiki, there are plenty of complementary healthcare practitioners in Winchester. Notably, (breathe deep) the city has two oxygen therapy clinics, <a href="https://hybo2.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HybO2</a> and <a href="https://theozoneclinic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ozone Clinic</a>, used for everything from sports therapy to skincare.</p>



<p>Fitness-wise, Winchester&#8217;s huge Sport and Leisure Park has a 50m swimming pool, gym and even rock climbing. A convenient boutique option, <a href="https://www.thewinchesterhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Winchester Hotel &amp; Spa</a> in town has an excellent little gym and spa facilities.</p>



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



<p>Lots going on at the city library, art and community space, <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Arc</a>, including craft workshops, tots sessions and major touring arts exhibitions. Community fetes tend to happen in the surrounding villages. But in the city itself there&#8217;s a great <a href="https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">programme of events</a> at the magnificent <a href="https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester Cathedral</a>, from art installations to the famous Christmas market.</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="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography.jpg" alt="Child in a spacesuit Winchester science centre best places to live Hampshire" class="wp-image-27397" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/06/Winchester-Science-Centre_spacekid_-Harvey-Mills-Photography-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Winchester Science Centre</figcaption></figure>



<p>This is a city with history seeping from every cobblestone, which means&nbsp;you can’t turn a corner without tripping over a tourist attraction. As well as the <a aria-label="famous cathedral (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">famous cathedral</a>,&nbsp;you have Winchester&nbsp;College, which you’ll&nbsp;recognise&nbsp;as the filming location for various Harry Potter flicks and Les Mis, and&nbsp;the ancient ruins of&nbsp;<a aria-label="Wolvesey&nbsp;Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wolvesey-castle-old-bishops-palace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wolvesey&nbsp;Castle</a>.&nbsp;Not a history buff? Head to&nbsp;<a aria-label="Marwell Zoo (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marwell Zoo</a> for a family day out that’s less than a 20 min drive. Kids will also love the brilliant <a aria-label="Winchester Science Centre (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.winchestersciencecentre.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester Science Centre</a> around a 10 min drive from the city centre. </p>



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



<p>The <a href="https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatre Royal Winchester</a> is a brilliant heritage theatre with a real variety of drama, dance, comedy, music and family theatre on the bill. Sharing the Grade II listed building on Jewry Street, the city&#8217;s library is also a gallery and live performance arts centre – <a href="https://www.arcwinchester.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Arc</a> – with curated exhibitions curated exhibitions and works from national lenders such as Tate, British Museum and Victoria &amp; Albert Museum.</p>



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



<p>Unsurprisingly&nbsp;for an area popular with the London exodus,&nbsp;house prices can be&nbsp;eye-watering in Winchester, with the average detached house&nbsp;clocking&nbsp;in at £974,319. Flats fetch on average £313,752, bringing the overall average price down to £652,279.&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="989" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/01/House-Winchester.jpg" alt="House for sale in Winchester Hampshire" class="wp-image-36154" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/01/House-Winchester.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/01/House-Winchester-800x527.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/01/House-Winchester-1000x659.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/01/House-Winchester-768x506.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 3-bed semi-detached city pad in the city centre. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/southgate-villas-st-james-lane-winchester-hampshire-so23/win012462311" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £850,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



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



<p>There are no shortage of good nurseries in and around Winchester, many with Outstanding Ofsted ratings, like <a href="https://woodhamsfarmnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodham Farm Day Nursery</a> in Kings Worthy and <a href="https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/our-nurseries/winchester-day-nursery-and-preschool" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bright Horizons</a>, located centrally. Many local parents also rate <a href="https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/maples-day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maples Day Nursery</a> (Ofsted Good).</p>



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



<p>A massive draw for the area, there’s an abundance of (very competitive) Good and Outstanding state schools in the city, as well as some&nbsp;prestigious independent options. <a aria-label="The Pilgrims School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pilgrims&#8217; School</a> is a top prep for boys aged 4 – 13 yrs, day or boarding, tucked away between Winchester Cathedral and <a href="http://www.winchestercollege.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winchester College</a>. <a aria-label="St Swithun's School (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stswithuns.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Swithun&#8217;s School</a> is a day, weekly and full-boarding through school for girls aged 3 – 18 yrs.&nbsp;<a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/princes-mead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prince’s Mead</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/twyford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twyford</a>&nbsp;are both excellent co-ed preps just outside of the city centre (meaning your little ones get to enjoy the Hampshire countryside on a daily basis). </p>



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



<p>Head for a postprandial stroll through the Water Meadows and you’ll be following in the footsteps of Keats – he was inspired to write his&nbsp;famous&nbsp;<em>Ode to Autumn&nbsp;</em>while staying in the city.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>A solid option for those working in the city,&nbsp;direct&nbsp;rush hour trains to Waterloo take just&nbsp;over an hour.&nbsp;Trains to Southampton take 15 to 25 mins via the Airport, or you can make it there by car in half an hour. You’re also 40 mins from the New Forest and 50 mins away from Bournemouth.&nbsp;&nbsp;</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>


Winchester

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