From the hills of the South Downs, to the ponies in the New Forest and the beautiful beaches on the South Coast, Hampshire has a lot going for it. But if the relative hustle and bustle of Southampton or Winchester isn’t for you, or you’re looking for rural escape from life in London, we’ve narrowed down some of Hampshire’s most livable and lovely villages.

Hursley, Ampfield and Braishfield
The ancient village and parish of Hursely are the definition of picture postcard, as are nearby Ampfield and Braishfield. Picturesque cottages with stunning rose gardens share the market with larger, more modern family homes. And the proximity to Winchester Train Station and town centre (10-15 minutes) make this a very desirable choice.

Kings Somborne and Stockbridge
Located towards the East of the county, King’s Somborne is another beautiful and ancient (it’s mentioned in the Domesday book no less) village with over 100 listed buildings, including the thatched cottages - Marsh Court, Compton Manor - designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Meanwhile, if you want a bit more action, nearby Stockbridge on the banks of the river Test has beautiful independent shops, pubs and places to eat. 

Romsey and North Baddesley
And down in the south of the county, close to Southampton is the village of North Baddesley and nearby market town Romsey. Both offer ideal refuge for anyone looking for a sanctuary from the 9-5 in Southampton, but in different ways. Although it’s a village by name, North Baddesley is actually one of the largest in Southern England. Which means you have a few more amenities, but still a great sense of community and a broad range of housing stock from period to more modern homes. Meanwhile, Romsey is the definition of a historic market town, with beautiful buildings dating back to the 13th century, regular cultural events, good food and drink and a range of schools. It’s well connected via rail and road, with the M27 and M3 both within 10 miles of the town. 

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