A VILLAGE near Basingstoke has been named as one of the best places to live in 2024.
Lifestyle magazine, Muddy Stilettos, has named Overton as one of the best places to live in 2024, calling it a "well-kept secret."
Famed for being home to CarFest and the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Overton has been named as the 10th best place to live in Hampshire, featuring among a list of the 260 'best places to live' for the second year running.
The magazine draws upon its insight into the 28 most sought-after counties in England, guiding potential buyers to the local hot spots and up-and-coming areas.
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The website describes Overton as: "A well-kept secret sitting quietly near the source of the River Test, the charming North Hampshire village of Overton is very well connected (but doesn’t like to shout about it)".
It even lays claim to a Jane Austen connection as she was born a stone’s throw away in the village of Steventon.
It continues: "The village centre is a charming patchwork of period property: leaning 17th century timber-framing, thatched cottages, bijou terraces and more contemporary newer builds. Given the quick train ride into London you get a lot more property for your money here than you might imagine."
The article praises the various pubs, restaurants and drinking establishments in the village, stating that Overton "doesn’t lack for watering holes," giving shout outs to The White Hart, The Greyhound, The Red Lion, The Old House at Home and Amore.
It explains how Overton is "unlike other towns and villages," in the sense that it has "hung on to many essential local shops and services, like the doctors, pharmacy, vets, library, butchers, bakery, Post Office, greengrocer. There’s even a wine merchant (bonus)."
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Talking about the village's history, it mentions that "from the 18th Century right up until 2022, Overton made banknote paper for the Bank of England at nearby Laverstoke Mill – now the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, with its iconic intertwining glass houses offering tours, tastings and gin cocktail shaking."
It also discusses house prices, nurseries and schools in the area, while praising the 'best kept secret' that is "the annual Overton wheelbarrow race, held on and off over the last 30 years."
Adding that: "Those who aren’t taking part come out in force to cheer them on and have a pint afterwards."
Other nearby areas that made it into the list include Alton, Alresford and Stockbridge.
Readers can find the full list of the 'Top 260 Places to Live in 2024' by visiting: https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/
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