Rated one of the best places to live in Hampshire (perhaps an hour from London or two hours from Brighton and the coast, in South East England) or even the UK and backing it up with sky-high house prices to boot, Hartley Wintney has that real English village feel.
If you’re toying with the thought of a big move, or you just want a country weekend away – don’t let the hard-to-pronounce name put you off. Having lived village life here myself for a decade or two, I have to admit it’s got a lot to recommend – cottages around a cricket green, a pub steeped in history, a quacking good duck pond, boutique shops and restaurants.
All that is firmly countrified and yet there’s a main line train to London Waterloo from the next village.
Hartley Wintney’s charms
Getting the layout of the village is easy, with the high street (every good village needs one, it’s where everything happens) strung along the A30. It used to be the main coach route to London and the horses would need a break here, hence black and white timbers of the Waggon and Horses Pub.
South of the road is proof that you absolutely never know what the future will bring. A swarm of burly Trafalgar Oaks were planted here with plans to slice them into proud ships – but by the time they’d spent 100 years maturing, we no longer needed wood for sailing. These days, they’re a nice shady place to walk the dog.
Things to see and do in Hartley Wintney
All social events in the village stop for the cricket, Pimms at the ready, so give their schedule a quick browse and get that picnic packed.
Whether the stumps are out or not, The Cricketers Pub is usually buzzing, especially on a balmy summer evening – as they’ve outdoor tables.
Continue the sedate life with a ramble along the high street – there are plenty of antiques to browse, with the widest selection a short way outside the main drag at the former pub, White Lion Antiques. The edge of the village also has a golf course.
Join the many tourists who stop in confusion outside the ‘post office’ sign at the start of the main parade. It’s a piece of heritage and can’t be moved – despite the fact that the real Hartley Wintney Post Office now operates a few doors down!
All the local ladies who lunch also give it a bit of a thriving shopping microcosm. There’s plenty of boutiques to keep you looking your best.
Where to eat
Worked up an appetite? You can get a doorstep sandwich to savour at The Waggon and Horses, which has a beer garden, a friendly publican and a clientele of proper Hampshire country folk. For a sticky bun and a fresh baguette to take home, the village bakery is also on hand.
Try a light bite at the Courtyard Cafe (just as quaint as you’d imagine) or book a table for the evening, the village has restaurants serving food from around the world.
Sunday roast with all the trimmings might be at the Phoenix Inn, backed up by a smashing pudding and fine wine. Driving off along Hampshire’s windy roads is also worth it for local faves The Leather Bottle and The Falcon. Just along the A30 far as Hook, The Crooked Billet steals the show for an endlessly welcoming atmosphere and the perfect pub grub.
More to explore near to Hartley Wintney
Around 15 minutes away is the pretty white facade of Odiham High Street and in Odiham’s surroundings you can have a tranquil stroll by the canal to reach the ruins of Odiham Castle. All the locals call this King John’s Castle as he, when not busy with Robin Hood, had this built.
For proper afternoon tea and a spot of luxury, you can live the high life at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire – then try a blissful few hours in their spa.
Adventure Balloons in the area will send you soaring in a hot air balloon and for indoor options there’s cinemas and leisure centres within a half hour’s drive at Basingstoke, Woking and Camberley.
Getting a house in Hartley Wintney
Popular as the village is, it’s no wonder so many families set their sights on buying bricks and mortar here. As a local, who knows the neighbours and the way the village ticks, I wanted to give you a few starter insights.
Top of the list for most are the period cottages that sit around the village green and line the Trafalgar Oaks – and man are they charming. Being in demand, expect to have to reach deep into your pocket for these and there are rarely any for sale.
For something with a little less swagger, you can sometimes snap up smaller properties immediately behind the high street, which are attached to local shops and businesses.
Within minutes of the centre there is a lot of family housing, nicely placed for good local schools, set on quiet and child friendly streets.
Has this good lookin’ village stolen your heart? Tempted you for a weekend? Let me know your thoughts below, I read all your comments!
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