The top 10 places to live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been revealed in the latest awards from Muddy Stilettos. The women's lifestyle website creates a list of the 'best places to live' every year, with there being 10 places included for each county. Overall, there are 260 included, with the official ranking for 2024 having been confirmed after votes from their readers.
In a post on their Instagram page, the publication wrote: "You’ve been voting for the Best Places To Live 2024 – and the results are in! 🎉 Find out which town/village scored the top spot near you, or where you should be moving to at the link in bio @muddystilettos. Best Places To Live is in association with @knightfrank". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Muddy Stilettos (@muddystilettos) The full list of the best places can be found on the Muddy Stilettos website here .
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's top 10 places to live for Muddy Stilettos 2024 On the Hampshire and Isle of Wight county page , Muddy Stilettos wrote: "From quaint coastal towns to breathtaking New Forest scenery, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are a no-brainer for city dwellers looking for a rural escape. It's not all chocolate-box villages and Victorian holiday homes, though; the area is full of smart eateries, chic indie boutiques and family-friendly attractions, with cities like Winchester being prime commuter territory." The top 10 places to live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as ranked by Muddy Stilettos readers were: 1.
Lymington Lymington was the number one pick for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with it being described as a "best of both worlds" spot due to being "perched between the forest and the sea". Muddy Stilettos adds: "It may have a blue-rinse rep (about a third of the population is 65 and over), but families and ex-city slickers are reeled in by the area’s excellent schools and idyllic surroundings." 2.
Winchester Hampshire's county town claimed the number two spot and is said to be "stylish and sought-after in equal measure". The site adds: "The nightlife may leave something to be desired but the luxe mix of boutiques, eateries and top-rated schools make a desirable prospect for families of all ages." 3.
Petersfield Petersfield is praised as a "thriving, family-friendly market town" which has "has fantastic schools, ancient heathland and a true community vibe". 4. Southsea Located near Portsmouth, Southsea is said to combine "traditional Victorian charms" with "hipster vibes".
Muddy Stilettos adds: "Sea air, good schools, grand Edwardian and Victorian villas and an absolutely thriving independent shops and arts scene – it’s little wonder most Southsea folk wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else." 5. Cowes Cowes is praised as a "picturesque maritime town" which offers "plenty of pretty Victorian properties and enough bars and restaurants for foodies to sink their teeth into".
6. Stockbridge Stockbridge earned a place in the top 10 thanks to its "mega-foodie high street with indie boutiques" and "chocolate-box thatched cottages". 7.
Alton Alton is said to be in "prime Jane Austen country" which offers plenty of "chocolate box thatched cottages" and "contemporary new builds" for its property mix. 8. Bishop’s Waltham Bishop's Waltham is described as a "historic market town gem in a countryside setting" which also has the benefit of "a strong community feel and proudly independent High Street".
Recommended reading: The 'bijou Georgian' spot in Hampshire named among the best UK market towns Why this 'beautiful' Hampshire village is among the UK's best 18 to invest in Hampshire hotel ranked second-best in UK for Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice 2024 9. Alresford Alresford was praised as a "picture-perfect Georgian town" which boasts a "surprising number of indie shops and excellent eateries". 10.
Overton Rounding out the top 10 is Overton, which is said to offer a "charming patchwork of period property" in its village centre as well as a reasonable commuter distance to London..
