What Is Living In Andover Like? A Guide To Andover

Last Updated November 2022

Thought to have been around as early as 955 AD with the Old English name of Andeferas, Andover is thought to be a Saxon settlement that has flourished into an English countryside town with strong connections to the RAF.

Andover is a town that sits on the River Anton in the English county Hampshire. Twinned with Redon in France, Goch in Germany and Andover, Massachusetts in the US, the Hampshire town has been present in England since the time of Celtics and has a wealth of rich history.

Is Andover a nice place to live

Andover is thought to be a lovely place to live, with well-connected transport, neighbouring family villages and affordable housing for those looking to live in the city centre. The market town has many different museums lining its borders detailing its Iron Age and importance in the world wars. A lovely place to settle down with a family with its easy access to the countryside and the coast whilst also being an attractive choice for those looking for an easy commute into London.

What is the population of Andover

Andover, Hampshire is estimated to have a population of 47,299 as of 2021 census and is largely dominated by those who fall within the 18-64 age bracket, which accounts for an estimated 60.6% of the Andover population. The town’s population is also evenly split between males (49.2%) and females (50.8%). If you want to live in an area with a bigger population, why not try the local town Eastleigh, with a population of 136,400 its a bigger and busier place to live.

Is Andover a safe place to live

Andover is considered to be a fairly safe place to live and is said to have a crime index of 40.44/ 100 and a safety index of 59.56/100. With the crime index the lower the score the less crime, whereas with the safety index it is the higher the score the safer the location. Therefore, we can see that Andover has very similar scores to other Hampshire locations and is considered a relatively safe place to live. You can find out more about how safe your neighbourhood is!

In September 2022 446 crimes were recorded in Andover with the highest average seen in the summer months. Violent and sexual offences accounted for 48.2% of crime within the last 12 months and is the largest contributor to the reported crimes. The second largest category was public order which accounted for 12.2% followed by Anti-social behaviour which accounts for 11.8% of the overall crime.

If you want a local area that has less crimes and is a safer city, why not look at our local area guide for Basingstoke, with 304 crimes in September 2022, there is less crime and a lower crime rate.

What is the average house price in Andover

The average house price for a house in Andover is currently an estimated £406,070. Other local areas with a cheaper average house price include Basingstoke with £347,536 or Southampton with £326,788, if you want to move to an area cheaper to live in. The following shows the average property cost in Andover:

Detached

The current average sold price for detached houses in Andover is £750,207.

Semi-Detached

The current average sold price for semi-detached houses in Andover is £326,069.

Terraced

The current average sold price for terraced houses in Andover is £260,329.

Flat

The current average sold price for flats in Andover is £151,050.

How much does it cost to rent in Andover

The following shows how much a rental property costs in 2022 Andover:

Room – £560

Flat – £764

House – £1,392

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM):

1 bed –  £736

2 beds – £875

3 beds – £1,252

4 beds – £2,124

What are the best neighbourhoods in Andover to live in?

Rosewood Gardens and Saxon Fields

These housing developments in Andover have been highly sought after since the early 90’s due to the housing being the perfect size for both growing families and families with older children and their central location to amenities. This area offers access to Anton Lakes Nature Reserve, perfect for daily exercise and walking, likewise the commonly placed playgrounds, football pitches and green areas offer great amenities to all shapes of families.

North of Andover town centre, these family developments are close to both the town centre and the neighbouring town of Charlton which offers shopping, dining, and a post office.

Amport

Home to a smaller population, a primary school and 14^th Century Church, this little village on the edge of Andover is patterned with cottages and a wide variety of different walking lanes. Perfect for families looking for a more rural lifestyle and individuals looking for a place to retire.

Travelling in Andover

By rail

Andover Train Station provides direct links to London and Salisbury, provided by Southwestern Railway, ensuring that for commuters to London there are trains every 30 mins reaching waterloo in just over an hour.

By bus

With strong bus links within and around Andover, the bus services are operated by stagecoach to offer easy transport links between other locations in Hampshire. More destinations can be reached by use of the National Express which can be used to reach London, Southampton, Bournemouth, and other UK locations.

What is the closest airport to Andover?

The closest airport to Andover is Southampton airport, which is just over 28 miles, which is an estimated 33 minutes by car via the A34 and M3.

Schools in Andover

Primary Schools

There are 10 primary schools within and near Andover, including 2 with an inspection rating of ‘Outstanding’ and the other 8 receiving ‘Good’. The most central primary school in Andover is the Andover CoE Primary School which educates children aged 4-11 and can be found to the south east of the town centre.

Secondary Schools

There are 9 different secondary schools in and around Andover, including 2 with an ‘Outstanding’ rating and 7 with a ‘Good’ rating.  One of the ‘Outstanding’ schools is the Testbourne Community School who caters to children ages 11-16 and has not got a particular focus on a single religion.

Private Schools

One of the only independent schools within the Andover vicinity is Rookwood School, which educates children from 2 – 16. This school is to the west of Andover town centre.

Special Educational Needs Schools

Within the Andover vicinity, Icknield School caters to children aged 3-19 with special educational needs or those with learning difficulties, with the support available all through the education years, it ensures a safe learning space where children can be educated to a high standard. The school recently received an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted.

Andover History

Andover was first recorded in history when King Edred built a royal hunting lodge there in 952 and subsequently when King Edgar called a meeting of the Saxon parliament there in 962. Throughout history Andover has retained its market town status and in the early 12^th century was best know for processing wool which was then traded to other parts of the country and within Andover itself at the weekly market and annual fair.

First and second world war

RAF Andover was opened within the Andover Airfield and became the site of the RAF Staff College during the First World War which then later became the RAF Maintenance Command during the Second World War. RAF Andover also holds a prominent place in British military history by being the first helicopter training school in the UK and home to the first British helicopter unit.

21^st Century

In 2001, Andover became one of the major sites of the newly formed Defence Logistics Organization and since 2012 has become the headquarters for the Army.

Nightlife in Andover

Andover is no stranger to a wide variety of pubs and bars, from cosy traditional village inns to modern refurbished bars.

Town Mills

Dating back to the 18^th century, Town Mills pub is considered one of the best in the Andover area and still retains much from its watermill heritage including the original water wheel which is powered by the River Anton.

The Fox Inn

A slight drive from the town centre, this rustic pub features a large open fire; beer garden and terrace offer a wide variety where everyone will find something suited for them.

The Poplar Farm

Known for its healthy, hearty food, including a range of vegetarian and vegan options, this pub is a popular spot for dog walkers and adventurers alike as a pit spot alongside those looking for some grub from the Army Flying Museum next door.

Top 10 places to eat in Andover

1. The Old Bell & Crown; British cuisine
2. Light of Asia; Asian cuisine
3. Siam Orchid; Asian cuisine
4. The Lion at Clanvillie; British cuisine
5. George and Dragon; British cuisine
6. The Clatford Arms; British cuisine
7. Captain’s Mezze Bar & Fish; Mediterranean cuisine
8. The Fox Inn; Asian cuisine
9. The Hare & Hounds; British cuisines
10. Curry Leaf; Asian cuisine

Best places to stay in Andover

There are many different places to stay in Andover, ranging from quaint country houses with view of the vast countryside to town central hotels that offer easy walking distance and accessibility.

Esseborne Manor

Rated 4.5 on Trip Advisor this hotel is the highest rated in the area and offers up a stay within a 100-year-old manor house. Perfect for those looking for a country retreat with access to the English countryside, the Esseborne combined luxury and comfort with idyllic natural surroundings to offer a peaceful stay.

The Star & Garter

Situated in central Andover, The Star & Garter was built in 1770 and whilst retaining its original charm it has recently been completely refurbished. With an overall Trip Advisor rating of 4/5, it is the ideal location for those who are looking to wonder round the streets of Andover and then come back to a large comfortable bed. With 47 restaurants and 8 attractions within 0.3 miles, this hotel has a walker rating of 81/100.

Premier Inn Andover Hotel

The popular hotel chain that offers a comfort many are familiar with, this Premier Inn is central to the market town, with many of the town’s hottest spots within walking distance. Perfect for adventurers, holiday makers and business individuals alike, this hotel can conform to whatever your needs and see them sorted to.

Top 10 things to do in Andover

1. Finkley Down Farm Park
2. Thruxton Motorsport Centre
3. Anton Lake Local Nature Reserve
4. The Lights Theatre
5. The Museum of the Iron Age
6. Cottonworth Vineyard
7. Hawk Conservancy Trust
8. Rooksbury Mill
9. All Saints Church
10. TreeRunners

What is the closest hospital to Andover

The most central hospital to Andover is the Andover War Memorial Hospital, which is located in the town centre but other hospitals such as BMI Sarum Road Hospital and Royal Hampshire Country Hospital are also close.

Need a Locksmith in Andover?

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Andover Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek^® Locksmiths Andover provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in, consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek^® Locksmiths Andover page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01264 310 044!