WINCHESTER
Ancient monuments and historic buildings dot Winchester's skyline, but it's down on the ground where this historic city in Hampshire comes into its own.
There are plenty of green spaces throughout the city and it's close to two National Parks, the South Downs and the New Forest, which lie immediately to its east and a short journey to the south west, respectively. Winchester's proximity to the coast is also a big draw, with The Solent being a little under 30 minutes away.
Culture within the city has long been cultivated by its residents, with a full calendar of public events and festivals centred around the historic Cathedral, Theatre Royal and Discovery Centre.
There are a broad range of High Street and independent shops on offer within the town, and the dining options are varied with everything from Michelin-starred fine dining, to more casual choices, as well as farmers’ market.
There are a lot of young families moving out of London (especially South West London) that do not want to be in a rural location. They tend to have friends who have previously made the move to Winchester or have family already in the area. The most popular neighbourhoods are St Cross, Fulflood and Hyde. Voted the Best Place to Live in the UK by The Sunday Times in 2016, we are seeing many new buyers moving to the historic cathedral city on the edge of the South Downs National Park and day-trippingly close to the south coast.
Direct trains to London Waterloo take about an hour; to Southampton Airport (which has a range of national and European flights) about 10 minutes; to Oxford about 65 minutes. With great schools and such easy access to London, for many buyers who are after a complete change of lifestyle, it’s the perfect location.
Demand is very strong in terms of the number of buyers registering, with housing stock running short. Particularly in-demand are city centre period properties.
Winchester is a small but ancient city in the county of Hampshire, with a strong community, well-regarded state and independent schooling options and quick travel times both to London and the coast.
From vintage clothes at Stardust Years to one-of-a-kind Italian wines from Toscanaccio, there's a wonderfully eclectic mix of the boutique, the quirky and the artisanal on your doorstep.
If you’re a foodie who likes to shop, be sure to seek out the wonderful farmers’ market every second and final Sunday of the month. Officially the largest farmers market in the UK with over 95 stalls it's hard to miss. Fine-dining options include the Michelin-starred The Black Rat, known for its excellence in modern British cooking, while wholesome fare can be found at Tom’s Deli.
Winchester is home to a great array of high street shops, but with over 90 independent shops throughout the city, shopping need never follow a predictable pattern.
Winchester in numbers
The average price of a property sold by Knight Frank in Winchester year to June 2021
Source: Knight Frank. Average prices is for sales over £700k for the year to June-21. All other metrics are June-18 to June-21.
Increase in prospective buyers year to June-21
Increase in exchanges year to June-21
There is a wealth of renowned educational institutes around Winchester.
Winchester College – the oldest public school in the UK – promises convenience as well as a high-level education thanks to its heart-of-town situation, while St Swithun’s for girls is also well-regarded for top-quality tuition and a central location.
Green spaces are plentiful in and around Winchester. The South Downs Way national trail can be picked up just outside of the city and St Catherine’s Hill offers pleasant walks with picturesque views from the city centre. You can also explore one of Keats’s favourite routes alongside the idyllic water meadows, behind the cathedral.
Winchester is a popular spot for big-city commuters, with great access to the M3 and direct trains to London Waterloo from around 60 minutes.
If you want to get out of town for a day, then jump on the train and you’ll find excellent links to the rest of the country, with Southampton a 30-minute journey by rail and car, where ferry links to the Isle of Wight can be picked up from. The New Forest National Park is around 40 miles from Winchester to the south west, where moors, forests and walking trails can be enjoyed by lovers of the outdoors.
What types of property are available in Winchester?
From terraced villas to modern mansions, here are some of the properties we’ve sold recently across the city of Winchester.
Eastgate Street, SO23
4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms 2 reception rooms
Guide Price: £750,000
Grange Road, SO23
5 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms 3 reception rooms
Guide Price: £1,250,000
Clifton Road, SO22
7 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms 3 reception rooms
Guide Price: £3,250,000
Knight Frank has listed all properties within the past 12 months. The price per square meter shown for all sold property is representative of their appraised pricing and not their final sale price.