Andover

Andover is a town in the Test Valley district of western Hampshire that spreads across a mix of housing estates, public squares, and green spaces. The high street runs through the center and links shops, cafes, and community buildings with the surrounding neighborhoods.

The settlement began as a Roman staging post on the route between London and Exeter and gained market rights during the medieval period. In 1974 it was incorporated into the newly formed Test Valley district and lost its status as a separate borough.

St Mary's Church from the 12th century remains a meeting point for parish events and services. Its Norman arches and square tower shape the skyline of the town center.

The town is accessible via a railway station and bus routes connecting to Winchester, Southampton, and London. Most shops and public buildings lie along the high street, which is easy to walk from end to end.

In the 19th century the town became a military center with large barracks on its northern edge. These facilities shaped the local economy and led to a rise in population in the surrounding settlements.