Broughton named in top 10 'secret villages' to move to

House prices reflect its new popularity, they have shot up by 62 per cent compared with an average of 48 per cent according to local estate agents.

If you ask anyone in the village of Broughton what makes it so special, many will point to its exceptional community spirit.

(Image: Caroline Simpson) Broughton lies midway between Salisbury and Winchester in rolling Hampshire countryside. Its quaint chocolate box charm belies a range of activities and sports on offer to residents that would be the envy of many languishing villages today.

The post office, community shop and café are the focus points for villagers and managed by long-time resident Sue Dawkins.

Sue’s family has lived in Broughton for generations. Her great-grandmother was the village butcher, her grandfather ran the garage and her grandmother had a sweet shop.

Sue Dawkins (Image: Caroline Simpson) Although she says she had to be persuaded several times to take charge of the community shop, today she says she couldn’t think of doing anything else: “I’m passionate about using local suppliers and meeting my customers' needs. I’ve got 30 suppliers within a 25-mile radius, who provide everything from kindling wood to truffle and coffee.”

Gill Bailey, 66, is a volunteer in the shop and lives at Trickledown Stables. She and her husband, David, moved from West Yorkshire two and half years ago.

Gill Bailey (Image: Caroline Simpson) She said: “As soon as we drove into the village we knew this was the place.” She added: “You could feel the friendship, people have time to stop and talk to you, and we felt so welcome.”

The manager and head chef of the Greyhound Pub, Ryan Lamb, 40, took over the premises in 2019 and said the village was a close-knit community. “There are so many things going on here and we get involved with lots of events, but essentially everyone looks out for one another, that’s quite rare these days”.

Ryan Lamb and Will Jones (Image: Caroline Simpson) Pub regular, Will Jones, 36, has lived in the village all his life and agrees. He runs a marketing and PR company from home and is helping Ryan plan events: “It’s great to stay in the village and help promote our pub.”

Zara Baillie, 33, a mother of two young boys got married in the local church, St Mary’s, and has lived in the village for 10 years. “It’s just such a beautiful place, it’s a great community, they’re so much going on and it’s a wonderful place for our children to grow up.”

Zara Baillie (Image: Caroline Simpson)