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Southampton, Hampshire

Letting Agents In Central Southampton, Ocean Village, Portswood, Highfield, Shirley, Woolston, Bassett, West End

What's It Like To Live There?

Living in Southampton

Southampton is an attractive, multicultural city on England's South Coast, approximately 70 miles south west of London. More than 200,000 people live in the Southampton area and the city has opened its doors to several high profile commercial institutions.

Steeped in a rich and varied heritage, Southampton is famous for a number of historic events; Henry V sailed for Agincourt, the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America and the Titanic sailed on it's maiden voyage from Southampton. There is a selection of excellent museums, art galleries, shopping facilities, glorious parks, diverse entertainment and leisure facilities. Southampton Common annually hosts a balloon festival, flower show and the popular extravaganza, "Power in the Park." Southampton also hosts an annual International Boat Show event that takes place every September attracting many visitors from all over the world.

It is the perfect base from which to explore Hampshire. The nearby New Forest covers 145 square miles of open heath and woodland, picture postcard villages are dotted all around and it is not uncommon to encounter the occasional "New Forest" pony wandering around the more rural villages. Winchester, the ancient capital of England is 12 miles to the north whilst historic Salisbury is 30 miles north west. Both are a short journey away. Beaulieu Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks in 1204, offers a truly fascinating day out.

Entertainment

Entertainment comes in various forms, from opera, ballet and theatre on international and local levels, smart restaurants waterside cafes and bars, tiny trattorias and bistros, multi screen cinemas and nightclubs. The famous Mayflower Theatre is the region's principal venue and most of London's West End shows can be enjoyed here; classical and jazz ensembles can be enjoyed at the Turner Simms Concert Hall whilst rock concerts are frequent attractions at the Guildhall. Many take advantage of the open air festivals held throughout the summer.

Southampton Has Some Charming Country Lanes

Communications

Communications are excellent. Southampton is easily accessible by road, rail, sea and air. The M3 and M27 motorways allow fast and easy access to London and all major cities. The train station in central Southampton provides direct services to London, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton Airport, Bournemouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Gatwick Airport. Several bus companies and reputable taxi services operate within Southampton and the surrounding area.

Sport & Leisure

Southampton boasts some of the best sporting and leisure centres in the region. Health clubs, gymnasiums, swimming pools, tennis clubs, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rock climbing, gliding, mountaineering, golf, cricket, football, rugby, squash, horse riding... the list is endless. Water enthusiasts can enjoy a selection of outdoor pursuits and whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, you can take advantage of a range of offshore sailing courses. Some of the world's most important maritime events are based in Southampton including the prestigious Round the World Race and more than 100,000 people flock to the annual International Boat Show.

Located on natural wooded hills, the Southampton Ski Centre offers three dry ski runs and has established itself as one of the South Coast's premier attractions.

Ponies In The New Forest

Air & Sea

The International Airport, located in nearby Eastleigh offers daily flights to other parts of the UK and Europe.

Heathrow Airport is about one hour by car and Gatwick Airport is approximately one and a half hours.

The Stena Line Ferry located at the Docks, offers daily sailings to Cherbourg and the Channel Islands, whilst the Red Funnel Ferries operate a passenger ferry service to East and West Cowes. The Hythe Southampton Ferry carries passengers between Town Quay and Hythe, a small town situated on the edge of the New Forest. The Hydrofoil offers regular services to the picturesque Isle of Wight, a popular and historic beauty spot.

Brittany Ferries and P&O European Ferries provide cross channel services to France and Spain; both companies are based in Portsmouth, a city approximately 20 miles east of Southampton.

Education

Southampton University is renowned as a centre of excellence in several technological, medical and academic fields. With over 20,000 students, it is particularly famed for its strength in the maritime science sector. The Southampton Institute of Further Education offers many vocational orientated courses.

There are extensive opportunities for part time study, both university and evening class based. Southampton is also home to several language schools recognised by the British Council. There are several sixth form colleges, although some schools still offer education right up to age 18. Most state schools are co-educational but some of the local independent schools are single sex.

The Waterfront

Ocean Village has its own 450 berth Marina and is one of the largest developments of its kind in the UK. There are two cinemas and a number of good quality restaurants The Town Quay, with its bustling, mouth watering restaurants is a chic and increasingly popular waterfront attraction which extends over 300 metres into Southampton Water. Ocean Village has its own 450 berth Marina and is one of the largest developments of its kind in the UK. There are two cinemas and a number of good quality restaurants and bars within the Marina area and numerous bars and restaurants within easy walking distance in Oxford Street. Plans are underway to build a 5 star hotel in the marina itself and once all development has finished Ocean Village will be ?the? place to be seen. The Town Quay, with its bustling, mouth watering restaurants is a chic and increasingly popular waterfront attraction which extends over 300 metres into Southampton Water. In addition, with Southampton becoming the premier port for cruise liners, the Oriana, Ventura and other cruise liners are frequent visitors to the port.

Ocean Village

Ocean Village is situated on the river front and Marina. On sunny days it is possible to see the Isle of Wight. With its smart bars and restaurants, cinemas and of course various boats and yachts moored in the Marina this is the place to be seen. Until the 1980’s this area was part of the old docks but with the development of the Marina, the area has emerged as an upmarket place to live, work and play. Properties here are mainly occupied by young professionals.

Town Quay

This waterside area is great for those who enjoy dining out in the proximity of the water. There are numerous restaurants and cafes for the discerning diner and with its proximity to the remaining port area provides opportunities for boat watching form the Red Funnel ferries to the Isle of Wight to the enormous cruise liners departing on world cruises. In addition the newly built West Quay shopping centre is a mecca for all serious shoppers.

Woolston

Located 3 miles east of the city centre which can be reached via the Itchen toll bridge in 10 minutes. Woolston is on the shores of the Itchen, and was the place where the Southampton ferries used to land. The old floating bridge has now gone, replaced by a huge bridge built in 1977. Since the mid nineteenth century the area has expanded, providing older style flats and houses.

Hamble

Located south east of the city and approximately 25 minutes drive from Southampton centre. Hamble is situated at the mouth of the River Hamble, and has for centuries been a centre for yachting and boat building. The village still has a rustic charm. The riverside, the High Street running up the hill and the Square at the top are still mostly Georgian brick and make the twisting hill street very pretty. There is a quay where one can sit and watch the boats go by. Traffic can be heavy entering and leaving the village as there is only one road in and out.

Bursledon

Bursledon has been a famous village for centuries. The name was acquired over seven centuries, changing from Bristledone to Busstleton and eventually to Bursledon. It is situated on the banks of the Hamble and has since medieval times built ships. The old village, overlooking the river is scattered about the hills, and although some modern development has filled the gaps there are still many trees and footpaths and steep paths leading down to the river. The Jolly Sailor is a popular pub set right on the river. Property dates from the sixteenth century, with the main road having most of the modern housing. There is easy access to the M27 and Southampton City is approximately a 20 minute drive.

Bitterne

Approximately 4 miles from Southampton City Centre with good local transport links. Bitterne has its own good shopping centre offering a variety of shops. The majority of properties are older style being in the main 1930s semi detached houses.

Botley

A village with a market hall in the middle which looks like a town hall. Architecturally it is possibly one of the finest villages in Hampshire. Many of the buildings around the square are Georgian or were re-fronted then. Winchester Street has seventeenth century jettied houses and a good mixture of eighteenth century houses. The mill is large and still functioning and until 1900 there were wharfs for the boats to bring up timber for cutting at the mills.

Hythe

An attractive waterside town with a shopping precinct. Red Funnel Ferries operate from here to Southampton, from the end of a 700 yard pier, which has a small electric railway linking it with the land. There are eighteenth and nineteenth century houses in the town centre and to the west is an attractive marina development with waterside cafes, restaurants and town houses. The area has mixed properties, predominantly post second world war.

West End

Only made a parish in 1894, but with the odd Victorian cottage and a school. The properties are mostly post second world war, including the shopping street. West End is still known by its residents as "the village" and although new building is permitted, there is a recently formed "Friends of Hatch Grange" along with the West End Copse Group who are successfully preserving the surrounding countryside. West End boasts many preserved green spaces including Hatch Grange, Barnsland and Itchen Valley Country Park.

Hedge End

The enclosure of Botley Common in 1863 led to the establishment of Hedge End. There are a few Victorian villas, but the majority of housing is on modern estates - flats through to large houses, many being on the Grange Park development. It has its own shopping centre and hypermarkets including Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer. The M27 is only a few minutes drive and there is easy access to superb local countryside.

Banister Park

A central location 5 minutes from the city centre. Close to Hampshire Cricket Ground and Southampton Football Stadium. There is a mixture of older and newer properties and the area is well maintained.

Totton

A suburb of Southampton to the west of the city, Totton offers access to the Waterside areas and also the New Forest. Described in 1852 as a small village abounding with river and island scenery, it is now substantially developed. West Totton consists mainly of modern housing estates, whilst Testwood to the North has a mix of modern and 1930s housing. On the main road are some nineteenth century villas.The shopping centre has small shops with larger supermarkets close to hand. The M27 is to the north and the city centre is a 15 minute drive.

Lyndhurst

The name means wood of lime trees, now a rare species in the New Forest. Lyndhurst is the capital of the New Forest, with many hotels, restaurants and cafes. The High Street is mainly Edwardian, although a few parts date back to the seventeenth century. To the east of the town is extensive open grazing and wild ponies. The housing mix is varied, Victorian to modern, terraced to detached.

Cadnam

Was once a New Forest hamlet, close to Southampton and it is considered a very pleasant area. There are a few thatched properties amongst the mainly modern housing.