Moving to Waterlooville in 2026: The Complete Area Guide

Waterlooville is one of Hampshire's best-kept secrets. Tucked between Portsmouth and the South Downs, this market town of 65,000 people offers something increasingly rare in the South East: genuine affordability without sacrificing quality of life.

🏠 House Prices in Waterlooville (2026)

Compared to nearby Portsmouth, Fareham, and Havant, Waterlooville offers excellent value:

| Property Type | Average Price | vs Portsmouth | |--------------|---------------|---------------| | 2-bed flat | £185,000 | 15% cheaper | | 3-bed semi | £310,000 | 12% cheaper | | 4-bed detached | £475,000 | 18% cheaper |

The most sought-after areas are Cowplain, Denmead, and Lovedean — all within easy reach of the town centre but with a more village feel.

🎓 Schools in Waterlooville

Waterlooville has strong school options at every level:

Primary Schools (Ofsted Rated): - Padnell Infant School — Outstanding - Queens Inclosure Primary — Good - Berewood Primary — Good - Stakes Hill Infant School — Good

Secondary Schools: - The Cowplain School — Good - Horndean Technology College — Good (just outside) - Oaklands Catholic School — Outstanding

🚗 Transport Links

Waterlooville doesn't have its own train station (the biggest downside for some), but transport links are still solid:

• ✓A3(M) — Direct access to London (90 mins) and South Downs
• ✓Havant Station — 10 minutes by car, trains to London Waterloo (1hr 20m)
• ✓Portsmouth & Southsea Station — 15 minutes by car
• ✓Stagecoach buses — Regular services to Portsmouth, Fareham, and Petersfield

For commuters, the lack of station is offset by significantly lower house prices than station-adjacent towns like Havant or Cosham.

🛒 Shopping & Amenities

The town centre has everything you need:

• ✓Wellington Way — Main shopping precinct with Tesco, Boots, WHSmith
• ✓Waterlooville Precinct — Traditional high street shops
• ✓Asda Superstore — Large 24-hour supermarket
• ✓Retail parks — B&Q, Currys, Sports Direct nearby

For bigger shopping trips, Gunwharf Quays is 15 minutes away.

🍺 Food, Drink & Nightlife

Waterlooville isn't a nightlife destination (Portsmouth handles that), but the food and pub scene is surprisingly strong:

• ✓Number 73 Bar & Kitchen — Best restaurant in town (4.6★)
• ✓The Bird in Hand — Classic country pub with 1,200+ reviews
• ✓Shalimar — Top-rated Indian restaurant
• ✓Oriental Garden — Beloved Chinese takeaway

See our Best Restaurants in Waterlooville for the full rundown.

🏞️ Parks & Green Spaces

This is where Waterlooville really shines:

• ✓Queen Elizabeth Country Park — 1,400 acres of forest and downland (5 mins drive)
• ✓Staunton Country Park — Beautiful parkland with café and events
• ✓Forest of Bere — Ancient woodland walks
• ✓Waterlooville Recreation Ground — Local park with sports facilities

👍 Pros of Living in Waterlooville

• ✓Affordable — 12-18% cheaper than Portsmouth/Fareham
• ✓Great schools — Multiple Outstanding-rated options
• ✓Green access — South Downs and country parks on doorstep
• ✓Safe — Low crime rates compared to Portsmouth
• ✓Community feel — Active local groups, events, and markets

👎 Cons of Living in Waterlooville

• ✓No train station — You'll need a car for commuting
• ✓Town centre needs TLC — Some empty shops, ongoing regeneration
• ✓Limited nightlife — Portsmouth is the place for nights out
• ✓Traffic — A3 can get congested at rush hour

📍 Best Areas to Live in Waterlooville

Cowplain — Family-friendly, good schools, slightly cheaper

Denmead — Village feel, larger properties, quieter

Lovedean — Rural edge of town, great for dog owners

Stakes — Central, walkable to shops, older housing stock

Berewood — New-build development, modern homes, young families

🎯 The Verdict

Waterlooville is ideal for:

• ✓Families who want good schools and green space
• ✓First-time buyers priced out of Portsmouth
• ✓Remote workers who don't need daily commutes
• ✓Dog owners — so many walks!

It's probably not for you if: - You need a train station for daily commuting - You want vibrant nightlife on your doorstep - You prefer a buzzy urban feel

Bottom line: Waterlooville punches above its weight. It's not glamorous, but it's a genuinely nice place to live — and your mortgage will thank you.