Nestled by the River Anton in the shadow of the North Sussex Downs, Andover is a lively commuter town located halfway between London and Exeter. The town’s location has proved crucial to its success. Firstly, as the perfect place to construct Medieval watermills and secondly as a stopping point for travellers between London and Exeter in the 18th century.
The Hampshire town of Andover has held onto its heritage during those growth spurts. You only need to walk around the compact town centre to take in the thatched roofs, while the Museum of the Iron Age traces the town’s roots over the last 2,800 years. Other attractions include Thruxton Motorsport Centre, the fastest racetrack in the UK, the Museum of Army Flying which houses dozens of planes, gliders and helicopters and Finkley Farm Park, a firm family favourite. Handily, our hotel in Andover is well placed to take in all the action, including the Lights Theatre, the nearby vineyards and distilleries and dozens of excellent pubs, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.
Things to do in Andover
Shopping
With over 60 stores and food and drink outlets, The Chantry Centre is the largest shopping centre in the region, located in the heart of Andover. Opened in 1970 and refurbished in 1990, it attracts over seven million visitors each year, with big-name brands including Boots, New Look and the Body Shop. The centre has 650 parking spaces and is located right next to the bus centre.
Andover Market has been a staple in the Hampshire town for centuries, with market days held every Thursday and Saturday in the High Street. Expect to find a wide range of products spanning fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, bread and pastries, clothes, homeware, fresh meat and more.
Getting Around
The closest international airport to Andover is Southampton Airport. The 30-mile journey takes around 45 minutes by car or taxi or just over an hour via a connecting train service in Basingstoke. Southampton Airport welcomes over two million passengers each year flying across the UK and Europe via low-cost airlines including FlyBe and Easyjet.
Alternatively, Heathrow is only an hour’s drive from Andover, with the 60-mile journey taking around an hour and 15 minutes via a direct National Express bus transfer. The busiest airport in the UK with over 1,000 daily departures, Heathrow is the UK’s main travel hub serviced by dozens of airlines flying across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Another travel option is to stay the night before you travel at one of our hotels near Heathrow Airport.
A 10-minute walk from the town centre, Andover Train Station runs regular departures to Exeter, Salisbury and London Waterloo. The two-platform station has a shop, ticket machine, taxi stand and plenty of on-site parking.
Shopping
