UK University Guides

Study in Hampshire - Beautiful Coastlines and Dynamic Cities

Glorious countryside, a superb coastline and vibrant towns combine with a rich cultural heritage to make Hampshire an ideal place in which to live, work or study. Well served by both road and rail the area is easily reached from neighbouring counties and further afield and it's less than an hour from London.

With two of England's greatest seaports on its coastline, and the ancient royal hunting grounds of the New Forest and Winchester, the capital of Saxon England, lying inland, Hampshire is a county rich in history.

The New Forest remains one of England's natural wonders. Established by William the Conqueror, much of the forest has changed little over many generations. The area abounds with wildlife and a trip though the forest takes you through many pretty towns and villages. There is a vast array of activities on offer ranging from angling to pony trekking. Visitor attractions include stately homes, wildlife centres and museums.

Hampshire remains deep at the heart of Britain's rich maritime heritage. Portsmouth has been the home of the Royal Navy since Tudor times and a visit to the city and its surroundings offers the opportunity to view ships and naval tradition from the past and present.

Southampton is on the South Coast of England, just over an hour by train to London and within easy distance of Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Winchester. Its location makes it easy to travel to Europe either by ferry or from the city's airport at Eastleigh. 

Southampton is one of the most lively and dynamic cities in the south of England. It offers a vibrant and varied nightlife, numerous leisure facilities, superb heritage attractions, bustling marinas, beautiful parks and great places to eat and drink. There is something for everyone and Southampton is the pefect blend of old and new.

Southampton is one of the UK’s greenest cities with several large parks situated throughout the centre. Southampton Common – 326 acres of managed woodland – is perfect for walking, jogging or a spontaneous game of football.

Portsmouth is a lively, young, student orientated place with opportunities to chill out, meet new people and experience an atmosphere that can never be duplicated. 

If you come to a university by the sea, then this surely must be the place to try new sports or refine your skills. In Portsmouth they have everything from dinghy sailing to underwater hockey.

Portsmouth is home to a lot of pubs, bars and entertainment venues, so whether you're looking for a cosy place to sit and read the papers on a Sunday afternoon, or a lively bar where you can meet people and party into the small hours, you'll find something to suit you.

There are several venues for live music in Portsmouth, The Pyramids which tends to have larger bands, The Wedgewood Rooms, the Guildhall and the City Bar.

The Wedgewood Rooms is a central point for live music in Portsmouth. It's not just a venue for local bands, it also features artists such as Franz Ferdinand, The Darkness, Ash, Placebo, The Scissor Sisters, to name but a few.

Winchester, on the edge of the South Downs, is a small but bustling city - one of the most beautiful cathedral cities in the country. Winchester is England’s ancient capital and former seat of King Alfred the Great. Today, Winchester combines the best of city life with the freshness of the surrounding countryside. One hour from London and popular for its shopping streets and architecture, and quirky open air events, Winchester is most well known for its eleventh century cathedral and for the Great Hall which for over 600 years has housed the mysterious Round Table.

Night-time in Winchester is full of surprises, proving that the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. There is always plenty to see at the city's four performing arts venues, while the city's pub scene shouldn't disappoint; in fact it's often said that Winchester has more pubs per square foot than any other town in Britain. Historic hostelries and cool bars provide a contrast of settings for real ale devotees and cocktail quaffers alike. Other pubs are great for live music. The Railway Inn showcases a different band from a different musical genre every night of the week.