THEY have one of the finest views in Hampshire.

Students can look out over Winchester from the city university’s new £25m student village, which was officially opened yesterday.

There are five blocks with 499 rooms at the Burma Road site. Of those 408 are for University of Winchester students and the remaining 91 are to be leased to Sparsholt College.

The buildings are divided into flats of six to eight bedrooms, all with swipe card entry systems and energy-saving features such as automatic lighting controls.

Student rent includes energy bills and access to free WiFi, while there are seven bedrooms adapted for wheelchair users and facilities to assist hearing-impaired students.

The student village was officially opened at a ceremony led by Dame Mary Fagan, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and chancellor of the university.

Dame Mary said: “I was bit worried at how tidy the rooms were! I think they’re really lovely flats with a wonderful view of the cathedral.”