ROMSEY has been crowned as one of the best places to live in Hampshire - again. 

Reinforcing what most people in the town already know, Romsey was listed among the top 10 places, coming seventh, according to women's lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos.

The town was picked for its 'twisty streets and chocolate box thatched cottages' plus its 'independent shops, cafes and eateries, stunning surrounding countryside and the beautiful River Test .' 

Schools such as the Outstanding Oftsed-rated Halterworth Community Primary, plus The Romsey School and The Mountbatten School were also listed. 

Places to eat such as Kimbridge Barn, Dish deli shop and cafe, Josie’s, Tea Cups and La Parisienne were mentioned and as were pubs The Olive Tree, The Exchange, The White Horse, the Cocky Anchor pub and the Duke on the Test. 

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The news has come with mixed reactions from locals, who were actually surprised not to see it feature higher on the list. 

Nick Adams-King, Hampshire County Councillor for Romsey Rural, said: "You might expect any local councillor to extol the virtues of their area when asked to comment on a list like this. 

"My comments are borne of experience. My only surprise it that Romsey isn’t higher up the list.

"We have lived locally for 14 years, not only is Romsey a wonderful market town in a beautiful setting, our community is welcoming, friendly and has a fantastic spirit. 

"Their response to the pandemic was exceptional, their embrace of Ukrainian guests complete and when we lost our home to a fire a few years ago their response was kind, generous and amazing.

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"Romsey comprises the best of so many qualities, it absolutely deserves to be in the top 10.”
Romsey MP Caroline Nokes also shared a similar sentiment.

She said: "It is of course no surprise to me that Romsey is in Hampshire’s top ten places to live. I think I would rank it higher than 7th though! 

"I just look at the beautiful Market Place, the fact we still have an independent department store in Smith Bradbeer, but mostly I look at the people. Romsey has a fantastic community which pulls together in the toughest times.

"And that is why I love Romsey." 

Suzi Shilling, business, events and tourism officer for Romsey Town Council, said: "We are so lucky to be surrounded by beautiful countryside with easy access to the New Forest, major cities, and golden beaches on the South Coast. It’s a great place to live for all ages with great transport links such as a central bus and train station and outstanding state, academy, and private schools.

"Romsey is a great supporter of independent business with its own Chamber of Trade and home to many business parks and retail shops such as Bradbeers. Recognising the town will grow, Romsey Future, a community partnership, has been set up to plan and shape the town for the future.

"Although it is a town it has a real community spirit with free community festivals such as an annual duck race and Mayors Picnic, Carnivals, and a Food Fair. This year the arts and culture Romsey Festival is back, and Romsey will be celebrating 30 years of the Beggars Fair music festival. It really is a wonderful place to live and visit.”

Muddy Stilettos creates a list every year of the best places to live in England and breaks that down regionally. A national winner is set to be revealed on Tuesday, March 28.
Last year Romsey featured ninth on the same list.

Muddy Stilettos is not the only place recognising Romsey as a top spot, the Test Valley also featured in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list 2022. 

Hero Brown, the founder of Muddy Stilettos, said: "When people decide to move, they're searching for more than just a house - they want a home, a lifestyle that works for them and their family, and if they're strategic, a long-term investment too.

"Our 2023 Top 250 Best Places to Live guide will give them that extra reassurance they need to make their search easier in these difficult economic times."

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's 10 listed entrants were ranked by Muddy Stilettos voters as follows:
1. Winchester
2. Lymington
3. Southsea
4. Petersfield
5. Hartley Wintney
6. Alresford
7. Romsey
8. Cowes
9. Odiham
10. Yarmouth