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Quality of life makes new homes in Winchester a magnet for London commuters

Posted 8 May 2017 by Helen Christie

A designated heritage city, Winchester is a city that was described as “practically perfect” by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide...

Winchester is home to many historic buildings, including the famous Winchester Cathedral which is the resting place for author Jane Austen. With a population of 118,000, Winchester attracts around 5.6m visitors a year and has a growing university population of over 6,000 students.

Frequently ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK in the annual Halifax Quality of Life Survey, Winchester is a wealthy city with low levels of unemployment. Its city centre is famous for its many medieval streets clustered around the cathedral.

The city is becoming popular with commuters. Fast rains into London Waterloo from Winchester, the quickest of which takes just 58 minutes, and run every 10 minutes or so during peak times. Southampton Airport is just over 20 minutes by train. A monthly season ticket to London costs £556.80 from Winchester, £5,800 for an annual ticket. There is easy access to the M3, A303 and A34 with Heathrow under an hour via the M3 and Gatwick 1 hour 19 minutes. Ferry services from Portsmouth link to various ports in France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Winchester City Council is planning a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme near the railway station providing new offices, parking, homes, public spaces and shops.

The property market is driven by a lack of stock and high demand for centrally located properties. “This is keeping prices relatively high in as people compete for schools in the desired catchment areas and for easy access to the railway station,” says Elaine French, associate at Strutt & Parker Winchester. “There are several new build sites around Winchester under construction and they will undoubtedly sell very well.”

For lovers of the arts, the Winchester Festival is held annually in July and brings a feast of music, literature, theatre and the visual arts to the city. 

The South Downs National Park and Test Way is on the city’s doorstep offering a wide choice of walks. The nearby New Forest is a paradise for walking, riding and cycling, while Lymington and Southampton are major sailing centres within easy reach. 

Winchester has a good range of high performing state and private schools including Westgate and King’s comprehensives and St Swithuns and Winchester College in the private sector.

Here is a selection of the new homes for sale in and around Winchester

 

Winchester Village (Bovis Homes) – Located on the edge of historic Winchester, Winchester Village is the perfect balance between rural and city life. The development from Bovis Homes consists of a range of two-bedroom apartments, and three-, four- and five-bedroom homes and is less than two miles from the city centre. Prices start from £429,950. Find out more about Winchester Village from Bovis Homes  Winchester Village (Bovis Homes)
Bishopstoke Park (Anchor) – This welcoming retirement village has a range of just 36 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to offer an independent lifestyle with beautiful views across the village centre and grounds yet within access of the M3. Professional care and support is included within the development. Prices start at £322,000. Find out more about Bishopstoke Park from Anchor  Bishopstoke Park
Bakers Quarter (Taylor Wimpey) - Around six miles from Winchester is Eastleigh, a railway town with excellent transport connections. Bakers Quarter is a new development situated on the former premises of Premier Foods Bakery. Bakers Quarter is a selection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. Prices start from £314,000. View more about Bakers Quarter from Taylor Wimpey Bakers Quarter (Taylor Wimpey)

King’s Barton (CALA Homes) – To the north of Winchester, King’s Barton is a collection of 2000 new homes from CALA Homes, creating a new community. King’s Barton offers buyers the choice of two-bedroom apartments or two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, ideal for first-time buyers, downsizers or families. Facilities will include a school, health centre, leisure facilities, transport links and open spaces. Prices start from £389,000. View more about King’s Barton from CALA Homes

King's Barton (CALA Homes)
Boorley Park (Bovis Homes) - Down the road, in nearby Botley is Boorley Park, around 20 miles from Winchester. With many homes available on Help to Buy, Boorley Park is a collection of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Ideal for nature lovers, the nearby River Hamble offers beautiful walks, water sports and marine views. Prices starts from £364,950. View more about Boorley Park Boorley Park (Bovis Homes)

 

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