For those looking to balance a manageable commute to London with a true country lifestyle, the Hampshire Valleys are emerging as a quiet powerhouse in the county’s prime property landscape. With their combination of unspoilt natural beauty, vibrant villages, attractive houses and excellent connectivity to London, the Candover, Meon, Test, Itchen and Bourne valleys offer a rarefied market that is both under the radar and highly resilient, writes our Southern Counties specialist Jake Civardi
When my wife and I left London in 2010 with a new baby and a growing sense that the city no longer suited the life we wanted, we went in search of somewhere with a sense of place. We found it in Hampshire.
We wanted open countryside within reach of London, access to excellent schools, and a village life that felt authentic and meaningful. But over time — and now having spent more than a decade advising clients on their own transitions — I’ve come to understand more clearly why the Hampshire Valleys hold such enduring appeal.
Rural Connectivity
The Hampshire Valleys form the backbone of this unique part of southern England. The River Test — widely regarded as the birthplace of modern fly fishing — flows through some of the country’s most ecologically rich and unspoilt chalk streams, globally rare and crystal-clear, threading their way through farmland, rolling downland and pretty villages which serve as vibrant community hubs.
Despite their bucolic appeal, these valleys remain exceptionally well connected. Many of my clients are surprised to discover just how accessible the area is — often expecting a greater compromise on commuting in exchange for rural tranquillity. Yet a train from Basingstoke reaches London Waterloo in just 45 minutes, while Winchester offers a direct journey in around an hour. The A3 and M3 provide fast road access to London and the wider southeast, and with Gatwick, Heathrow and Southampton airports all within easy reach, national and international travel is remarkably straightforward for such a rural setting.
The Right Place
When clients are considering a move to the country, my advice is to remember it’s not all about buying a pretty house, it’s about being in the right place. Having a local hub is incredibly important for making a successful move.
For example, Longstock in the Test Valley is a lovely little Hampshire village: it has a pub (the Peat Spade Inn), it has a community, and is right next to the desirable town of Stockbridge on the River Test. It ticks a lot of boxes. So, are you more likely to consider a plainer house here than a charming cottage on the outskirts of Andover? Absolutely.
What draws people here isn’t just aesthetics; it’s the Hampshire Valleys’ unique access. Bordered by Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex, there is a vast array of activities within striking distance. Within an hour you can be sailing on the Solent, paddleboarding down the Beaulieu River in the New Forest, or hiking the South Downs or North Wessex Downs.
Whilst elsewhere in the country village pubs may be struggling, here in Hampshire we’re spoiled for choice. The Chestnut Horse in Easton near Winchester on the Avington Estate was recently refurbished by its new owners to include beautifully decorated rooms and a deli. The Greyhound on the Test in Stockbridge is a local favourite, while the popular Woolpack Inn in Totford, is currently being refurbished, as is the Purefoy Arms in Preston Candover.
The School Factor
The Hampshire Valleys are also home to some of the country’s most respected schools, both state and independent, many of which draw families out of London year after year.
In Winchester, St Swithun’s is a leading independent girls’ school with an outstanding reputation. The Pilgrims’ School, located next to the cathedral is regarded as a feeder school for Winchester College which needs little introduction.
Younger families often look to Twyford School, just outside Winchester, which consistently comes up in conversations with relocating parents. Likewise, Farleigh school near Andover offers an exceptional Catholic co-ed prep experience.
Among the state options, Perins School in Arlesford and the sixth form Peter Symonds College in Winchester both have sterling reputations, with a high rate of students winning places at Oxford or Cambridge.
And for families with children already at top senior schools, Hampshire’s location is hard to beat — Eton, Radley and Marlborough (my former school) are all within easy reach, making weekly or even daily travel feasible.
The Long View
What has preserved the distinctive character of the Hampshire Valleys is long-term stewardship. With several significant landowners in the area, it is protected from development, while the limited supply of housing stock helps to underpin the Hampshire Valleys’ long-term value.
Having made the move myself, I bring clarity to the process — evaluating not just the house, but the village, the connectivity, the flood risk, the broadband, and yes, whether the pub is open on a Monday. As a local, I’m often first to hear about new properties which may be coming to market.
Prices here seldom make headlines, but demand for the best houses — Georgian red brick, river frontage, secondary accommodation or potential for regenerative land use — is intense. This is a discreet, opaque market where much of the best property never sees the open market. For buyers prioritising land, legacy and low-profile luxury, local knowledge and trusted access aren’t just helpful — they’re indispensable.
For those seeking more than just a house — whether for family, balance or a new pace of life — the Hampshire Valleys offer something rare: understated beauty, deep-rooted community and long-term resilience.
Jake Civardi is our specialist Partner in the Southern Counties.
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