Positioned between the naval city of Portsmouth and the historic cathedral city of Chichester, Havant occupies one of the most enviable locations on the South Coast.
It is a town that often gets overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, but that is precisely part of its appeal. For those in the know, living in Havant means enjoying genuine coastal access, excellent transport connections, affordable property, and a quality of life that is quietly exceptional, without paying the premiums demanded by the towns on either side.
At Curtiss Moving & Storage, we have been helping people move in and around Havant for over 150 years. We know this town, its neighbourhoods, and its communities well.
This guide covers everything you need to know about living in Havant in 2026, from property prices and schools to transport links, leisure, and the best areas to put down roots.
What Is It Like Living in Havant?
Havant is a thriving market town characterised by fine Georgian buildings and the narrow footpaths known locally as ‘Twittens’, a network of pedestrian lanes that wind through the conservation area at its heart. Much of the town centre has been designated a conservation area, which traces its origins back to a Roman road junction, giving Havant a depth of history that belies its modest size.
Day-to-day life in Havant is defined by its practicality and its position. The town has a good range of shops, a street market running on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a compact, walkable centre. But the real draw is what surrounds it. Langstone Harbour to the south and Chichester Harbour to the east form part of some of the most important coastal habitats on the South Coast, offering wildlife walks, sailing, and waterside views that most English market towns can only dream of. Hayling Island, a short drive across the bridge, provides sandy beaches, watersports, and a genuine sense of escape. To the north, the South Downs National Park begins within minutes, offering some of the finest walking and cycling terrain in the South East.
It is a town that rewards those who move here. People who discover it tend to stay.
Property Prices in Havant
For buyers relocating from London, the South East, or other coastal cities, Havant’s property market is one of its most compelling arguments.
The average house price in Havant was £321,000 in October 2025, up 4.2% from October 2024, according to ONS data sourced from HM Land Registry.
That figure sits around 16% below the wider South East average of £384,000, making Havant one of the more accessible coastal markets in the region.
By property type, terraced houses, the most commonly sold in the borough, averaged £268,250 over the last year, semi-detached properties averaged £317,974, and detached homes averaged £527,490.
First-time buyers paid an average of £264,000 in October 2025, which is a meaningful entry point for buyers looking to get onto the South Coast property ladder without the premium pricing of neighbouring Emsworth, Chichester, or the villages of the South Downs.
The borough offers a genuine variety across its neighbourhoods. Emsworth, straddling the Hampshire-West Sussex border within the borough, is the most premium market, with its Chichester Harbour setting and highly sought-after character properties.
The town centre and Bedhampton offer solid family housing at mid-range prices. Leigh Park, in the north of the borough, provides the most affordable options and has seen investment through the council’s ongoing regeneration programmes.
Havant Borough Council’s regeneration strategy, running through to 2036, has identified major development opportunities across Havant town centre, the Civic Plaza Campus, and the West of Waterlooville, where approximately 2,550 new homes are being developed alongside schools, leisure, employment, and community facilities.
In December 2025, the council formally adopted the Waterlooville Town Centre Masterplan, setting out a long-term vision for the regeneration of that area. These programmes are likely to support sustained demand and price stability across the borough over the coming years.
The Best Areas to Live in Havant
Havant Town Centre and Old Town
The historic core of the town offers some of its most characterful housing, Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces, and former merchant properties lining the conservation streets around East Street, North Street, and the Twittens. Proximity to the station makes this an obvious choice for commuters, and the award-winning Staunton Country Park is within easy reach to the north.
Bedhampton
One of Havant’s most popular family areas, Bedhampton sits to the west of the town centre and offers a good mix of 1930s semi-detached homes and later post-war developments. It is well served by local schools and sits close to the A27 for drivers.
Emsworth
Technically, within Havant Borough, Emsworth deserves its own mention. Straddling the Hampshire-West Sussex border on the shores of Chichester Harbour, it is one of the most desirable small towns on the entire South Coast. Its character cottages, harbour walks, outstanding restaurants, and strong community spirit make it a premium choice, and prices reflect that. For buyers with the budget, it is outstanding.
Denvilles
The residential neighbourhood between Havant town centre and Emsworth, Denvilles, offers a quieter suburban lifestyle with well-maintained properties and a genuine community feel. It is particularly popular with families thanks to its proximity to both Denvilles Primary School and Warblington School.
Langstone
For something different, the small village of Langstone on the northern shores of Langstone Harbour is one of the most picturesque spots in the borough. A mix of historic cottages and more modern waterside properties, it offers wildlife, views, and tranquillity within minutes of the town centre.
Schools in Havant
Education is well provided for across the borough, with a broad mix of state primary and secondary schools, many of which carry positive Ofsted ratings.
Among the primary schools, Warren Park Primary School, Bidbury Infant School, Denvilles Primary School, and Sharps Copse Primary and Nursery School are consistently well-regarded by parents and inspectors. St Alban’s Church of England Primary School in Bedhampton is another well-regarded option for families seeking a church school ethos.
At secondary level, Warblington School, with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, offers a high level of individual attention and support. Purbrook Park School serves Purbrook in the north of the borough. Havant Academy, led by Headteacher Victoria Dillon-Thiselton, is a mainstream school with strong pastoral care values, and Park Community School in Leigh Park serves the north of the borough.
For sixth form and further education, Havant and South Downs College (HSDC), which has campuses in both Havant and Waterlooville, offers A-levels, T-levels, BTECs, and a comprehensive range of vocational programmes.
It is one of the larger further education colleges in the South East and provides a strong bridge between school and higher education or employment.
Transport and Connectivity
Havant’s transport credentials are among its greatest practical advantages, particularly for those considering commuting to London or other South Coast cities.
Havant railway station sits on the West Coastway Line, providing direct services along the coast to Chichester, Brighton, and beyond, as well as northbound services through Guildford to London Waterloo. Journey times to London Waterloo are typically around 90 minutes on direct services, long but manageable for those who do not need to travel to the capital daily. Portsmouth is around 15 minutes by train, making it easily accessible for those who work in the naval city or use Portsmouth Harbour for ferry services.
By road, the A27 runs directly through the borough, connecting Havant westward to Portsmouth and Chichester to the east. The A3(M) provides a direct motorway-standard route northward toward the M25 and London. For those travelling further afield, Southampton Airport is approximately 30 minutes by car, and Heathrow is around 90 minutes via the M27 and M3.
Local bus services connect the main residential areas to the town centre and neighbouring communities, though, as with much of coastal Hampshire, car ownership remains the most practical option for many journeys.
Leisure, Green Spaces, and Things to Do
Living in Havant gives you access to a remarkable variety of outdoor environments within minutes of the town.
Staunton Country Park is one of the borough’s crown jewels, a stunning free-entry country park featuring woodland walks, a lake, a café, a farm, and beautifully reconstructed Victorian gardens. The park hosts a popular Parkrun every Saturday morning and is a cornerstone of outdoor community life for Havant residents.
Langstone and Chichester Harbours are Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and internationally important wildlife habitats. The coastal path that links them offers some of the finest waterside walking in the South East, with views across the estuary to the South Downs and constant bird activity throughout the year. Sailing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are all popular, with several clubs operating in the harbour.
Hayling Island, connected to the mainland by a single road bridge, provides sandy beaches, a seafront promenade, beach cafés, and a genuine coastal atmosphere. It is particularly popular in summer, but the island’s quieter nature reserves and coastal paths make it a year-round destination.
The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in the heart of the town is Havant’s main cultural venue, hosting theatre performances, cinema screenings, live music, and community events throughout the year. The Havant Museum, also on East Street, offers free admission and explores the town’s history from its Roman origins to the present day.
For sport and fitness, Havant Leisure Centre, part of the Horizon network, provides a swimming pool, gym, sports halls, and soft play facilities. Havant Rugby Football Club and a range of local sports clubs across football, cricket, tennis, and sailing give residents plenty of options for active community participation.
Employment and the Local Economy
Havant’s local economy spans retail, manufacturing, healthcare, defence, and education. Many residents commute to Portsmouth, home to the Royal Navy’s main shore base and a significant employer across the defence and maritime sectors, while others work in Chichester, Southampton, or London.
The borough’s own economy has been the subject of sustained regeneration efforts.
Havant Borough Council’s Economic Development Team has been actively supporting businesses through grant funding, including a Business Support Grant Scheme, backed by UK Shared Prosperity Fund money in 2025, designed to help new and small businesses grow and create employment in the borough. The council was also awarded National Skills Academy for Construction accreditation in February 2025 for its work embedding Employment and Skills Plans into major development projects across the borough.
It is worth being honest that Havant has historically faced some economic challenges, wages within the borough have tended to be lower than the South East average, and more residents commute out of the borough to work than commute in. However, the ongoing regeneration programmes, new housing development, and infrastructure investment are all pointed in the right direction, and the borough’s strategic location between two major cities gives it structural advantages that are hard to replicate elsewhere on the coast.
The council’s ambition for the Havant Town Centre Civic Plaza area and the ongoing Waterlooville masterplan represent the most significant opportunities for new employment and footfall in the years ahead.
Cost of Living in Havant
Beyond property, Havant’s cost of living is broadly in line with the UK average, with some advantages over larger cities and more premium coastal locations.
Day-to-day grocery costs are well-served by a strong supermarket offer; Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Lidl are all represented within the borough, alongside local food markets and independent traders.
The street market on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the town centre provides fresh produce at competitive prices. Eating out ranges from independent cafes and traditional pubs to a growing range of restaurants in the town centre and along the coast toward Emsworth.
Council tax in Havant Borough is set at levels comparable to those in surrounding Hampshire districts, while average private rents in the borough were £1,118 per month in November 2025, significantly below the South East average of £1,399, reflecting Havant’s position as one of the more affordable coastal rental markets in the region.
Community and Settling In
Havant has a genuine community spirit, built around its historic market town identity and the local events that bring its neighbourhoods together. The Havant Heritage Festival, which returned for its second year in September 2025 to significant local acclaim, reflects a borough that is increasingly proud of its history and keen to celebrate it.
Community organisations, volunteer groups, and sports clubs are well established across the borough, providing natural entry points for newcomers looking to build connections. The Havant Museum and The Spring Arts Centre both play important roles in the town’s cultural life and run community programmes throughout the year.
For families with young children, the parks, country parks, and coastal environments provide an exceptional backdrop to everyday life, the kind that tends to feature heavily in the conversations of people who moved here and wonder why they waited so long.
Why Choose Curtiss Moving & Storage for Your Move to Havant?
Making the decision to move to Havant is the exciting part.
The logistics of getting here is where Curtiss Moving & Storage comes in.
Based in Copnor, Portsmouth, just a few miles from Havant, we have been serving the South Hampshire and West Sussex coast since 1871.
As longstanding members of the British Association of Removers (BAR), every member of our team is professionally trained, fully insured, and committed to making your move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Whether you are moving from London, the Midlands, or anywhere else in the UK, our experienced teams handle everything from initial survey through to packing, transport, and storage. We offer free home visit surveys and video surveys so you receive an accurate quote from the outset, with no hidden costs.
If you are ready to begin planning your move to Havant, contact Curtiss Moving & Storage for a free, no-obligation quote. We would love to help you get here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Havant
Is Havant a good place to live? Yes. Havant offers an excellent combination of coastal access, affordable property, good schools, strong transport links, and a genuine community feel. It is particularly well-suited to commuters, families, and first-time buyers who want to live on the South Coast without the premium pricing of Chichester, Emsworth, or the more sought-after villages of the South Downs.
What are house prices like in Havant? The average house price in Havant was £321,000 in October 2025, up 4.2% year-on-year, based on ONS/Land Registry data. Terraced houses averaged £268,250, semi-detached homes £317,974, and detached properties £527,490. First-time buyers paid an average of £264,000.
How far is Havant from London by train? Direct services from Havant station to London Waterloo take approximately 90 minutes. Services run frequently throughout the day, making Havant a realistic option for those who commute to London several times a week rather than daily.
What are the best schools in Havant? The borough has a good range of state primary schools, including Warren Park Primary, Denvilles Primary, and St Alban’s C of E Primary. At secondary level, Warblington School and Purbrook Park School are well-regarded options. Havant and South Downs College (HSDC) provides excellent post-16 education across both academic and vocational pathways.
What is there to do in Havant? Havant’s leisure offer includes Staunton Country Park (free entry), coastal walks along Langstone and Chichester Harbours, sandy beaches on Hayling Island, The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, Havant Museum, and a wide range of watersports and sailing clubs. The town’s street market runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Does Curtiss Moving & Storage cover Havant? Yes. Our offices are just a few miles from Havant in Copnor, Portsmouth, and we cover the entire borough, including Emsworth, Bedhampton, Denvilles, Leigh Park, Hayling Island, Langstone, and Rowlands Castle. We also handle long-distance moves from anywhere in the UK.
