_Spotlight on: Living in Winchester

What's it all about?

There’s a reason Winchester consistently top of the list for people looking for the best of both worlds: you get country living and city benefits all rolled into one.

We’ve got excellent schools, a vibrant cultural scene and fast train links to the capital, combined with beautiful surrounding countryside that throughout my career, has always lured a broad spectrum of people wanting to get in on the action.

Ancient beginnings…

Winchester started life as a Roman settlement, eventually being claimed by King Alfred the Great as his capital city of England. Alfred was the great defender of Wessex from the Vikings, and ultimately a peacemaker who established a society where both English and Danes lived together harmoniously.

Responsible for the grid pattern of streets, and the city walls, Alfred’s influence is still visible all over the city today. For history-buffs like me, this place is a treasure trove of discoveries.

Eating Out

Sadly, while we can’t claim to host royal blood today, we do have a couple of celebrity chef haunts in our midst. This city has become quite a food lovers destination and in recent years, drawn by the popularity of the place, Rick Stein and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, have both opened restaurants here.

We’re proud of our food culture in Winchester and the variety of cuisines from Nepalese and Japanese to modern British and classic French could put parts of London to shame.

Culture

Winchester hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year that I can’t rate highly enough. From classical music to comedy, we have many an event at venues such as Winchester Cathedral, the Theatre Royal, Chesil Theatre and the Discovery Centre.

The Winchester Festival is a week long summer celebration attracting well known authors and musicians which is a great family day out. Britain’s longest running outdoors arts festival, the Hat Fair, showcases a fabulous variety of street performers.    

Farmers’ Markets

Winchester has one of the largest farmers’ markets in the country. It’s held twice a month with over 80 producers showcasing lots of delicious food to take away or eat whilst strolling around the stalls (which I frequently do).

I can regularly be found taking in the marketplace on the second and last Sunday of every month, as well as some Saturdays within the Cathedral Close which is also where Winchester’s famous Christmas market is held.

Schools

State schools in Winchester, both at primary and secondary levels, have good reputations and for buyers looking for property for sale in Winchester, have always been a draw.

The Pilgrims’ School, which is the choir school of Winchester Cathedral, Twyford School and Prince’s Mead School are popular independent prep schools and Winchester College for boys and St Swithun’s School for girls provide ongoing private schooling.

The properties

In my opinion, the beauty of Winchester is the variety of properties on offer. The properties in the city centre are typically Georgian and full of character, especially surrounding the Cathedral.

Slightly further out we have charming Victorian terraces in Hyde and Fulflood, close to the station. The desirable area of St. Cross typically features large, Victorian houses which are in high demand for young families.

Further out of the city are a mixture of more modern houses and a number of high-end new developments have sprung up recently especially in Chilbolton Avenue.

To really get a sense of what the Winchester lifestyle is like, you really need to come down for a weekend and drink it all in. You won’t be disappointed…

Buying, selling or thinking of moving to Winchester? Visit Knight Frank Winchester, search for Winchester properties for sale or speak to our friendly agents and see how we can help.