LOCATION
A perfect blend of heritage, culture and natural beauty; Winchester’s widespread appeal is clear. This historic cathedral city invites first time buyers to settle in and enjoy the area’s rich and proud past, while securing their own exciting future Winchester HOT spot
1 Ancient capital of England 2 Noble and rich history 3 Winchester Cathedral 4 Perfect balance of city and country living 5 Vast green spaces to explore on the doorstep 5 REASONS WE LOVE… WINCHESTER
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Nestled in the heart of south- central Hampshire, Winchester is 60 miles south west of London and 14 miles from the nearest other city, Southampton. The beautiful city of Winchester lies in the valley of the River Itchen and
OUT AND ABOUT Follow in the footsteps of the greats like Jane Austen, discovering her connections to the city at every turn; wander through the Winchester City Mill, a working watermill offering an insight into the city’s industrial past, visit The Great Hall, part of the remains of Winchester Castle, or learn all about the history of this vibrant city at Winchester City Museum. Stop for lunch at the Wykeham Arms – right near the cathedral and a fantastic Fuller’s pub – or simply start working your way around the city’s extensive offering of eateries, including Rick Stein’s seafood restaurant – his first to open outside of Cornwall, back in 2014. A wander through the winding streets of Winchester will lead you past big-name brands, nestled comfortably alongside independent shops. Winchester is stylish and sought-after in equal measures and, despite being steeped in history, you really get the best of both worlds here. If high street shopping is your style, The Brooks Shopping Centre is
serves as a haven for those seeking a mixture of historic charm and modern convenience. The area around Winchester has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and by the beginning of the third century was one of the Roman Empire’s largest towns. There is evidence of this rich history everywhere you turn – the remaining Roman walls and gates, the castle, and The City Cross (which dates to the 15th century and features 12 statues of the Virgin Mary, other saints and various historical gures) to name but a few. But the jewel in Winchester’s crown is Winchester Cathedral. Completed in its earliest phase in 1532, it is one of the largest in Europe. The spectacular building may be familiar from period dramas, perhaps most notably the Net ix series The Crown . The
prosperous area is also famed for being the last residence of world-renowned author Jane Austen and the rst place to open a public library in England, in 1850. Today, families with children of school age race to nd a new home in Winchester, which should come as no surprise as the education and schools in the area are excellent. Higher education is also available locally with several great universities nearby. The city serves commuters exceptionally well too, with trains to London Waterloo taking just over an hour and to Southampton in 15-25 minutes. Winchester is also conveniently located on the M3, an hour from the M25 and just half an hour from Southampton or Portsmouth. Winchester offers historic homes in abundance − the Ful ood and Hyde areas are particularly popular for period properties. However, they come at a
located between Middle Brook Street and Upper
Brook Street in the city centre, but Winchester has some outstanding local boutiques too and the area is home to three of the quaintest and most energetic market towns in Hampshire – Alresford,
premium so it is well worth considering a modern home if you want to get more for your money.
66 First Time Buyer February/March 2024
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