Attractive urban locations with strong transport links and good schools continue to outperform rural destinations, according to research by Savills.

Winchester is within the top five established prime locations, where house prices have the highest premium above the region average, along with Cambridge, Bath, St Albans, and Edinburgh.

The average sale price in 2015 was £471,000 (£692,000 for a detached property), representing a 28% increase over the last five years, and a 42% premium over the region average.

“Attractive towns, cities and urban neighbourhoods that are well connected, have a core of good quality family housing and a choice of high performing schools have become the focus of a widening profile of affluent buyers,” said Lindsay Johnn of Savills Winchester.

“Increasingly, young wealthy families have congregated in these locations, being joined by a growing band of prosperous empty nesters, for whom access to a range of good restaurants, shops and leisure facilities has become increasingly important as they look forward to a longer retirement on the back of increased life expectancies.

“Underpinned by demographic changes, more flexible working patterns and higher housing costs in the capital, we expect this trend to continue.” 

Savills Winchester is currently marketing the following properties in central Winchester:

3 Clifton Terrace is an impressive apartment on the middle floor of an elegant Grade II listed Victorian town house. The apartment, which has been significantly renovated over the last year, has a reception hall, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, store room, two double bedrooms, shower room, communal rear gardens and permit parking. Guide price: £575,000

1 Hyde Church Path is a modern semi-detached three-bedroom house in a tucked away area of Hyde. The house would benefit from some updating and provides a rare opportunity to secure a central location with parking. Guide price: £525,000

73 Tower Street is a charming Victorian terraced town house in the city centre which has been sensitively renovated while retaining many period features. The well proportioned accommodation over two floors includes a dining room, sitting room, kitchen, utility room, two double bedrooms, bath/shower room, cloakroom and gardens. Guide price: £575,000

11 Gordon Road is a stunning contemporary town house in the heart of the city. The property forms part of the Hyde Park Corner development and it has allocated parking, a garden and accommodation arranged over three floors. Guide price: £875,000