The top ten places to live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been revealed.
The lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos asked its readers to vote for the best local village, town, or city to call home in 2025 via its 'Top 300 Places to Live' guide.
The towns and villages in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that made the top ten list were: Cowes, Winchester, Lymington, Emsworth, Romsey, Overton, Alresford, Wickham, Petersfield, and Ringwood.
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Cowes topped the poll of 10 potential places in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – beating previous winners Winchester (No. 2) and Lymington (No.3).
Of Winchester, the website cited its commutable distance to London, and said it is home to excellent schools and foodie hotspots, calling the town "stylish and sought-after in equal measure."
Lymington, meanwhile, was touted as "the best of both worlds when it comes to countryside living," as it is perched between forest and sea.
Romsey featured at number five on the list as a "gentle, countryside market town beside the tranquil River Test". The guide adds that Romsety has characterful streets, good schools and indie shops and cafes in abundance.
At number 10, Ringwood was referred to as "a charming Hampshire market town on the Dorset border, sits beside the New Forest, country parks and nature reserves and close to an international airport."
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Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “When people move home, they’re searching for more than just a house; they want to find a new lifestyle that works for them.
"Our exclusive reader vote gives them a fresh perspective that can make their search easier. It’s hard to be confident on whether a location is the right place for you, but we’ve built our reputation on having first-hand knowledge on the in-the-know places to live and places to go.
"This reader vote gives a truly independent view on the towns and villages with the most popular postcodes, schools, restaurants and amenities.”
The full list of the 300 places to live for 2025 can be found at the Muddy Stilettos website.
