What’s going for it? Exactly. Where? And that’s just how they like it round here. The East Hampshire Downs are the kind of country that’s driven past on the M27 or M3 en route for more famous climes, like Dorset or the New Forest. But speeding dolts are missing a trick or two, like dappled light falling through heavy branches on to clear, fast-flowing chalk streams. Or wisteria-hung windows peeping beneath low-slung thatched eaves. This might be the less-famous end of the South Downs national park, but it’s still got some moves in its pretty little villages of half-timbered cottages and ancient, flint-fronted churches (the Norman church at East Meon is delicious) rooted in downland valleys. Boy, is it quiet round here, especially up those high-hedged lanes around Old Winchester Hill. You could live deep under the radar here, a retired MI6 officer in your dotage, perhaps, making piccalilli to sell in church porches, keeping your secrets as tightly clamped shut as a pickle jar lid.
The case against Quiet and conservative. A little out of the way: driving and the odd bus are your only options, and trundling roads do not make for a speedy getaway.
Well connected? Not especially. Trains: no stations particularly close, but from Exton you’re a 30-min drive to the mainlines at Eastleigh, Petersfield or Fareham. Driving: Winchester and Southampton are 40 mins away, the M27 20 mins, the M3 30 mins.
Schools Primaries: Droxford, Hambledon and Bishop’s Waltham are “outstanding”, says Ofsted; East Meon CofE, West Meon CofE, Wickham CofE and Swanmore CofE are “good”. Secondaries: Swanmore College is “good”.
Hang out at… Quite a smattering of delights: the Bakers Arms in Droxford and the Thomas Lord in West Meon are particularly prized.
Where to buy Think deep eaves, tiles, thatch, half timber, flint. Think idyllic villages, or farmhouses and equestrian facilities. Pick a village, any village. East Meon is my favourite, with its stream running the length of the High Street. Gets a bit suburban to the south. Bishop’s Waltham has a nice heart and lots of choice. Large detacheds, £750,000-£1.75m. Detacheds, £300,000-£750,000. Semis, £250,000-£550,000. Terraces and cottages, £180,000-£500,000. Rentals: one-bed flats, £525-£700pcm; three-bed houses, £1,000-£1,500pcm.
Bargain of the week Three-bed suburban semi in Froxfield, £275,000 with homesathomes.co.uk.
From the streets
Sarah Mitchell “Go horse-riding in bluebell woods, where you’ll see hares and deer.”
Roger Butler “The Meon valley is now ruined by weekend motorcyclists hooning up and down the A32. Wealthy second-homers have snapped up all the detached cottages; the trend is to demolish them to make way for another banker’s ranch.”
• Do you live in the Forest of Dean? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, please email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 30 June.
