About Winchester

The Winchester district spans 250 square miles of central Hampshire - a well-connected hive of social and economic activity in one of England’s largest and most attractive counties. Located just under one hour from London Waterloo and approximately half an hour from both Portsmouth and Southampton, Winchester is well placed geographically and benefits from a well-qualified workforce and a diverse economic catchment from Hampshire and neighbouring counties.

The medieval cathedral city and nation’s former capital offers a thriving business, governance and retail hub, while a blend of heritage, cultural events and our status as an official gateway to the South Downs National Park combine to create a strong draw for visitors. The wider rural district’s picturesque villages and market towns such as Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham and Denmead possess strong individual identities and proud communities.

City and rural areas enjoy a symbiotic relationship of supply and demand. While retail hotspots such as the city centre and Whiteley perform strongly, the city is also known for its knowledge-based, public sector and creative businesses. The district’s robust rural industry base combines key sectors such as farming, tourism and the supply and manufacture of local produce. Indeed, Winchester’s high quality food and drink offer is building an international reputation with stand-out local enterprises and household name chefs making headlines.