HAMPSHIRE is the perfect place to live in many ways, with excellent transport links to London, vast countryside and you are never more than an hour away from the coast.

The county is a myriad of beautiful, towns, cities and villages, so it comes as no surprise that many aera have seen a huge surge in buyer searches, according to the latest Rightmove data.

The new figures reveal the top five most desirable places to live in the county.

Here are the areas in Hampshire that have seen the biggest increase in interest recently.

Hayling Island     

Annual increase in buyer searches: 92%

Andover Advertiser: Google Street ViewGoogle Street View

Rich in military history and home to excellent sporting and leisure facilities it is easy to see why Hayling Island is the place to be. The island's miles of unspoilt coastline and countryside also offer a haven of peace and tranquillity, where residents can walk, cycle or relax.

It’s proximity to Portsmouth, Chichester and Emsworth makes it an ideal place to live with attractions such as Southsea Castle and Staunton Country Park nearby.

The average house price in the area is £345,405 

Alton

Annual increase in buyer searches: 87%

Andover Advertiser: Google Street ViewGoogle Street View

Alton is a welcoming thriving country market town, with a fascinating history. The town offers a delightful mix of historic buildings jostle with modern shops and arcades. Tuesday is market day, and the town hosts many markets and fairs throughout the year.

The average house price in the area is £347,356

Andover

Annual increase in buyer searches: 83%

Andover Advertiser:

Andover is an attractive market town in the north of the beautiful Test Valley in Hampshire and has a rich heritage dating back to Saxon times.

It is home to many museums which outline the towns Iron Age and its important tole in the two world wars.

It is the perfect place for walkers and nature lovers, with the lovely Test Way walking trail and the Hawk Conservancy Trust.

The average house price in the area is £282,370

Waterlooville

Annual increase in buyer searches: 81%

Andover Advertiser: Google Street ViewGoogle Street View

People seem to love a market town as Waterlooville is the third market town in the top five. Approximately 2 miles north of Portsmouth it is close to local amenities and a big bustling city.

Here buyers have an array of houses to decide on from Georgian-inspired townhouses too 70s detached properties on tree-lined avenues.

You are close to lots of outside spaces such as Jubilee Park, Staunton Country Park and Leigh Park Gardens.

The average house price in the area is £308,127

Fordingbridge

Annual increase in buyer searches: 81%

Andover Advertiser: Google Street ViewGoogle Street View

Situated on the edge of the New Forest, it is a wonderful place for residents with beautiful scenery, nature havens and cycleways.

The small country town situated on the banks of the River Avon is steeped in heritage from its links to the infamous Captain Diamon the ‘Smuggler King’ to the Great Bridge, of seven arches built around 1286 A.D.

The average house price in the area is £292,473