Why move to Romsey
Above: King John’s Gardens
Above: The 12th century Abbey
Above: Romsey’s Tourist Information Centre
Above: The Cornmarket
Above: King John’s Gardens
If you enjoy beautiful architecture, a lively community life and the countryside, Romsey ticks all the boxes. Although the town has every modern facility you could wish for, the old street pattern of its ancient core survives, as do many historic buildings.
On first inspection
Fans of the TV adaptations of Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford will already be familiar with the lovely heart of Romsey, where the detective’s house is situated, close to the magnificent Romanesque Abbey. The largest parish church in Hampshire, the 12th century Abbey is one of the county’s treasures, but only one of the reasons to be charmed by Romsey.
Wherever you look, there is superb architecture, much of it from the 17th century. Even the town’s department store, Bradbeers, is based inside a former Jacobean inn in the Cornmarket.
Romsey has long been a market town, a tradition which thrives today, with street markets in the Cornmarket on Tuesdays and Fridays and a Hampshire Farmers’ Market every other month – the next is on Sunday, April 6.
Prosperous times
In Roman times, Romsey was already a centre for farming and iron-smelting, industries continued by the Saxons, who developed commercial fisheries to the north of the town.
The town’s ample supply of water encouraged the growth of dyeing and fulling cloth and although the Black Death killed off most of the nuns in the abbey, the town continued to prosper. When Henry VIII closed the monastery, the people of Romsey were able to buy the Abbey Church for £100.
In 1607, James I granted a charter to give the town borough status, with a mayor and corporation. The 400th anniversary was celebrated last year with many events, including a visit by Her Majesty The Queen.
The coming of turnpike roads brought travellers to the town and developed its inn trade, although many of them were hard-hit when the railway arrived in 1847.
The inventive 19th century vicar of Romsey, the Rev E.L. Berthon, created a new industry when he invented the collapsible boat. David Faber bought Romsey’s three biggest breweries and boosted employment in the town by developing Strong’s Brewery.
Best of both
Today Romsey is a well-preserved yet lively place with a large number of small independent retailers providing expert service beside a good selection of national chains.
Residents who live outside the centre often have charming walking or cycling routes into the town and can access the countryside without having to get into the car.
Romsey’s cultural life is alive and well, with an impressive programme of concerts in the Abbey and open-air events at Broadlands as well as drama at the Plaza Theatre. The town’s library has recently had a makeover and is now a superb resource.
There are many excellent restaurants and inns and countless leisure activities at The Rapids.
Definitely not a clone town, Romsey retains its individuality while providing all the goods and services the most demanding resident would expect in one of Hampshire’s most agreeable environments.
Property prices
Land Registry figures for average house prices, April-June 2007: Detached £463,944;
semi-detached £240,347; terraced £201,969; flats £174,000.
Where are the best areas to buy?
Richard Tuck, branch manager of Pearsons estate agents of Romsey, says: “Many people like to live in the centre of town, where there are a lot of older and period properties. They are close to all the facilities and don’t need to get into their cars. Growing families are very keen on the Fishlake Meadows area, where there are two, three, four and five-bedroom houses built in the last 15 years or so, but still within 15 minutes’ walk of the centre of town. There are more established properties at Cupernham and Woodley, about 20 minutes’ or so from the centre on foot.”
Woolley & Wallis of Romsey have a Grade II Listed three-bedroom town house, backing on to the South Garth of Romsey Abbey at a guide price of £799,500, while Pearsons of Romsey are offering a three-bedroom detached bungalow in just over half an acre for £525,000. A five-bedroom detached house, in a landscaped garden and with views to the front is on the market with Goadsby of Romsey for £535,000.
What’s commuting like? Trains from Romsey to Southampton, Salisbury, Cardiff, Portsmouth and Chichester. You will need to change if you commute to London Waterloo. You’re close to the M27 and there is a good link to the M3.
Schools
Embley Park School in Romsey is a mixed independent for students from 11 to 19. The Atherley School, less than four miles from Romsey, is an independent for girls from two to 18 years. Another independent, Allbrook School in nearby Eastleigh, is mixed for students from 11 to 17. The nearest boys’ independent is Winchester College, for students from 12 to 19, almost 10 miles away. Local state schools are good, including Romsey Abbey Church of England Primary and the local community school, The Romsey School.
Shops/restaurants
You are spoilt for choice with local specialist shops and individual retailers where personal service is superb, plus many of the usual High Street chains. As far as eating out is concerned, there’s everything from cosy tearooms to top restaurants.
What to do at the weekend: Enjoy the shopping, visit the Abbey, walk in the surrounding countryside, take a short trip to the New Forest, have fun at
The Rapids.