Hampshire cities, towns and villages are among best places to live in UK

The national study has hailed it as being among the top 50 areas with the highest quality of life.

The historic city ranked third in The Halifax Quality of Life survey, moving up from last year’s ninth position.

According to the annual survey residents living in this part of Hampshire are healthier, better paid and better educated and also have plenty of luscious green surroundings and the ideal location for commuting to London.

The study takes into account factors such as jobs, housing, education, crime rates and the environment in 405 local authority districts across the UK.

Other parts of Hampshire ranked in the top 100 include Eastleigh at 53, Fareham at 55, the New Forest at 59 and Test Valley, which includes the towns Romsey, Stockbridge and Andover, at 82.

Countryside near Winchester

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine said: “I am not at all surprised at Winchester’s ranking but I am delighted. Yes, it’s a pretty place to live and it’s close to London and the coast as well as a really useful airport but the fundamentals are strong and improving and that’s what I think lies behind this.”

He also revealed that in more than four years there has been a drop for people looking for jobs of 63 per cent in Winchester and that figure rises to 70 per cent in the 18-24 age group. He added: “This shows a strong and dynamic local economy and that’s credit to the council and the extremely positive business community we have here.”

According to the survey, which is in its ninth year, Winchester has an overall employment rate of 81.9 per cent and the average resident earns £780 per week.

Winchester Cathedral

Catherine Turness, manager of Winchester BID (Business Improvement District), said: “We’re thrilled. Winchester boasts a low unemployment rate in comparison to the national average and offers outstanding education and great public facilities, providing excellent prospects for the city’s younger generations and the ranking position demonstrates that the city’s population lead typically healthy, affluent and contented lifestyles.”

Winchester councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, Jan Warwick added: “I think one of the positives in Winchester is that although our council may not be massive or receive a great amount of funding we are very good at partnerships and bringing people together.

“Winchester High Street has a lot going on right now with businesses really trying to look out for people, with the dementia initiative looking out for people with the condition who may need looking after and also launching the breastfeeding initiative to support mums next year.

She added: “I think the fact we have been ranked third out of hundreds of other districts is brilliant and such good news.”

An average of 79 per cent of Winchester pupils are successful in obtaining a minimum of five GCSEs at A* - C according to the survey.

Kings’ School is a central secondary school for the city and this year obtained 81.7 per cent A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths.

Head teacher Matthew Leeming said: “I think the people in Winchester are very lucky in that they are spoilt for choice when it comes to schools. It’s evidently a very important aspect of having a good quality of life because we have a lot of parents who will move into Winchester so their children can go to the schools here.

“I think it’s also very much down to the fact that parents living in Winchester seem to be very passionate about their children having a good education.

He added: “For Kings’ School especially we really like to have a strong relationship with the families, and also the fact the children who come here tend to take their learning really seriously and are very committed and ambitious, which makes it a lovely place to be a teacher.”