Living in Hampshire

Hampshire is a county on the south coast of England, known for its varied landscape, historic towns and strong connections to both countryside and coast. It stretches from the New Forest and the Solent in the south to rolling farmland and chalk downland inland. The county’s position has long influenced settlement, trade and defence, giving it a quietly significant role in England’s development.

The county includes towns and cities such as Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke and Farnborough, each contributing to local life in different ways. Winchester has a long history as a former capital of England, while Southampton and Portsmouth developed as important ports with strong maritime traditions. Elsewhere, market towns and villages support rural communities alongside modern industry and commuting.

Hampshire is shaped by its natural features, including extensive woodland, river valleys and areas of protected countryside. Walking, sailing and outdoor activities are widely enjoyed, supported by access to coast, forest and open land. Overall, Hampshire offers a balanced mix of historic settlement, working towns and natural landscape, giving it a calm and well established character within southern England.

Largest Towns in Hampshire 12

Southampton
386.8K
Portsmouth
131.3K
Basingstoke
120.9K
Fareham
94.1K
Gosport, Lee-on-the-Solent
82.7K
Eastleigh
78.9K
Waterlooville
73.9K
Southsea
73.6K
Winchester
70.4K
Andover
63.9K
Farnborough
55.2K
Aldershot
54.8K

Location

Elevation & Terrain

Lowest point Anchorage Park — 0 ft (0 m)
Highest point Oakshott — 797 ft (243 m)
Average across towns 233 ft (71 m)
Elevation range 797 ft (243 m)

Hampshire stretches from 0 ft at Anchorage Park up to 797 ft at Oakshott, a span of 797 ft across 1,042 towns and villages. This reflects notably varied terrain, with clear contrasts between lower valleys and higher ground.

Deprivation Index (IMD)

Average deprivation scores across 77 postcode areas in Hampshire. Higher deciles (closer to 10) indicate less deprivation.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
7/10
Education
7/10
Health
7/10
Housing
5/10
Environment
7/10
543,197 Children (0-15) 18%
1,893,880 Working Age 62%
806,241 Older (60+) 26%

Places in Hampshire 1042

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y
Yateley

Postcode Areas in Hampshire 6

Hampshire is served by 6 postcode areas. Each area contains multiple postcode districts covering different parts of the county.

BH 53 places
GU 153 places
PO 122 places
RG 195 places
SO 406 places
SP 113 places

Neighbouring Counties 6

Isle of Wight 26 miles away
Berkshire 30 miles away
West Sussex 34 miles away
Wiltshire 36 miles away
Surrey 38 miles away
Dorset 48 miles away