Where is Eastleigh?
Eastleigh sits about 5 miles north of Southampton, roughly an 18-minute drive away. Part of South Hampshire’s urban area, the M3 passes through Eastleigh, connecting it to the likes of Sunbury-on-Thames and Southampton.
Transport in Eastleigh
Eastleigh has a 3-platform railway station. From here, commuters can catch regular services to London’s Waterloo station – with it taking a little under an hour and a half to get to London Waterloo by train.
Other regular services include routes to places like Poole, Salisbury, Portsmouth Harbour, and Romsey.
There are also a number of bus services, operated by Bluestar, which connect Eastleigh to some of the other villages, towns and cities in Hampshire, including the likes of Southampton, Romsey, Winchester, and Hedge End.
Shopping in Eastleigh
The Swan Centre is the main shopping centre in Eastleigh. Housing a large number of recognisable high street brands, including the likes of H&M and Next, as well as everything from Holland & Barrett to WH Smith, and EE to Vision Express – the Swan Centre honestly offers a little bit of everything.
The large shopping centre is also home to a Vue Cinema, a bowling alley and a 24-hour gym.
You’ll also find the Channon Retail Park on Woodside Avenue, where you’ll find a number of major DIY and household retailers, including names like Home Bargains, Matalan and Screwfix, as well as a Pets at Home store.
Things to do in Eastleigh
Eastleigh has a rich history when it comes to the railway industry, with the town initially being developed as a railway town around the 19th century.
This has shaped many of its most notable attractions, with the Eastleigh Lakeside Miniature Railway being particularly popular amongst both locals and visitors to the town.
There’s also a well-supported arts scene in Eastleigh too, with The Point Theatre hosting several productions as well as dance and comedy workshops.
For a day out in nature, there’s both the Lakeside Country Park and the Itchen Valley Country Park to explore, with Itchen Valley being particularly ideal if you have kids as the park has its own playground as well as a Go Ape Treetop Adventure course.
Popular places to live in and around Eastleigh
Though Eastleigh is the largest town in the borough of Eastleigh, there are several other towns and villages in the borough that are worth considering too. Some of the more popular areas include:
Hedge End
Situated about 15 minutes’ drive south of Eastleigh and about 20 minutes’ east of Southampton, Hedge End is a relatively recent town, only attaining town status in 1992.
Hedge End is a town with its own train station – with multiple trains a day going from Hedge End to London Waterloo – the capital being about an hour and half away by train.
In terms of shopping, Hedge End’s retail park is one of the largest in the area, with the likes of M&S, Sainsbury’s, B&Q, and Next all having outlets there.
Ideal for families with young children, the local secondary – Wildern School – is a mixed school that caters for kids between the ages of 11 and 16. With a suite of impressive facilities, including a heated swimming pool, a dance studio, an astroturf and a digital arts centre.
Chandler’s Ford
Chandler’s Ford is one of the preferred choices for families looking to live within the borough of Eastleigh, with the civil parish offering a wide selection of primary schools as well as a good mix of special, independent and public secondary schools.
Situated about 10 minutes’ drive and a little over half an hour’s walk from Eastleigh town centre, most of the town centre’s amenities are easily accessible from Chandler’s Ford, with the civil parish also having its own train station.
From Chandler’s Ford, you can catch services to London Waterloo via Eastleigh, with it taking about 2 hours to get from Chandler’s Ford to Waterloo by train.
Waterlooville
One of the other prominent towns in Hampshire, Waterlooville is a little over half an hour’s drive from Eastleigh, in the neighbouring borough of Havant.
Much of the town’s popularity is due to its proximity to Portsmouth’s South Coast.
The town also sits 9 minutes out from the stunning South Downs National Park.
Offering the perfect middle ground solution for those looking to live near Eastleigh but slightly nearer to Portsmouth, Waterlooville provides an excellent alternative for those interested in the wider Hampshire area.
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