Town Pop. 2,679

Living in Downton: Liveability Score 49/100

Last updated 7 August 2026

Downton scores 49/100 overall, across 9 scored categories. Measured against other towns, healthcare stands out most: 35/100 where the typical UK town scores 18/100. The biggest shortfall against other towns is bills: 32/100 versus a median of 47/100.

Downton places 3rd of 23 in the SP5 postcode district. The SP5 district averages 44/100, putting Downton 5 points above its own postcode area. Its healthcare score runs 9 points above the SP5 district's 26/100. For the surrounding area, see SP5 postcode district.

49
OUT OF 100
Below Avg
Score for:

Settlement area

The built-up area boundary and the postcodes its score is averaged from, each shaded by its own score. Clustered pins are other settlements. Tap one to view or compare it, or zoom in to reveal more.

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Each postcode is coloured by its own overall score on the default weighting. Scores are filled in as postcodes get searched on the site, so a blue dot just means that postcode hasn't been scored yet.

Downton scores 49 but individual postcodes tell the full story

See the exact score for any postcode, side by side with Downton.
Or compare:
SP5 1AA SP5 2AA SP5 3AA SP5 4AA SP5 5AA SP5

Score breakdown

Safety & Environment

Safety
90
56.7 crimes per 1,000 residents · last 12 months Below the England & Wales average of 94.3
Crime rate vs national average · last 12 months
Violence and sexual offences 37 crimes
↓ 59% below national average
Criminal damage and arson 34 crimes
↑ 87% above national average
Anti-social behaviour 29 crimes
↓ 29% below national average
Vehicle crime 12 crimes
≈ similar to national average
Public order 11 crimes
↓ 37% below national average
other 29 crimes
Highest-crime locations
Loading map…
  1. 1 Church Hatch 19 crimes
  2. 2 High Street 13 crimes
  3. 3 Charlotte Close 11 crimes

Source: data.police.uk · England & Wales only

Environment
76
Air Quality NO₂ 4.7 · PM2.5 5.7 · PM10 9.5 µg/m³
77
Green Space 73
Parks Adequate 3
Sports Pitches Some 1
Allotments None
Golf Courses None
Tennis Courts Some 2
Bowling Greens Some 1
Playgrounds Some 1

Services

Schools
30
2 schools in area · 4 within 4km
2Good
  • Downton CofE VA Primary SchoolPrimary · inspected 2025
    Good
  • The Trafalgar School at DowntonSecondary · inspected 2023
    Good

Score reflects proximity-weighted access to rated schools within 4km: areas with more nearby schools score higher regardless of settlement boundary.

Healthcare
35
A&E departmentsSalisbury District Hospital3.5 mi
Southampton General Hospital13.8 mi
Royal South Hants Urgent Treatment Centre15.8 mi
Hospital waitsUniversity Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust3.9 mi
Routine referral (median)10 wks
Treated within 18 weeks66%
A&E seen within 4 hrs72.5%
1 GP surgery in area best 'Good'
GP capacity851 patients per GP
1dentist1pharmacy

Score reflects proximity to CQC-rated GP surgeries and hospitals, not facility count. Dentists and pharmacies are shown for context but don't affect the score.

Broadband
67
Full fibre (FTTP)67.4%
available across Wiltshire
Gigabit-capable · incl. cable
86.5%
Ultrafast (300+ Mbps)
86.5%
Superfast (30+ Mbps)
100%
Ofcom Connected Nations · 86 postcodes · full fibre at local-authority level

Economy & Bills

Economic Health
72
Employment rate57.9%
Above the Great Britain average of 57.3% of residents aged 16+
Economic activity (16+)
Employed57.9%Unemployed1.3%Retired31%Student2.6%Other inactive7.2%
Occupation mix
Professional & managerial43.8%Skilled & technical34.3%Routine & elementary22%
Highest qualification (16+)
No qualifications15.7%Level 1 (1–4 GCSEs)8.4%Level 2 (5+ GCSEs)12.7%Level 3 (A levels)17.4%Level 4+ (degree & above)37.6%Apprenticeship5.7%Other (incl. vocational)2.6%
Home ownership73.3%
Among the least-deprived 27% of areas in England
Census 2021/22 (Great Britain) · deprivation: IoD 2025 / SIMD
Bills
32
Council tax Wiltshire · 2026-27
A £1,715
B £2,000
C £2,286
D £2,572
E £3,144
F £3,715
G £4,287
H £5,144
Energy Southern England region
Typical bill regional £1,641/yr
Ofgem price cap, GB average · Apr–Jun 2026
Typical home efficiency local EPC band D
Water Wessex Water
Average bill regional £581/yr
Combined water & sewerage · GB average £520

Transport

Transport
12
Salisbury 5.9 mi
Dean 6.2 mi
Mottisfont & Dunbridge 9.4 mi
J1 M27 8.6 mi
J1 M27 8.8 mi
J2 M27 9.9 mi

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
18
Pubs & Bars Adequate 3
Restaurants & Cafes Some 1
Supermarkets & Convenience Adequate 2
Retail Shopping Some 4
Takeaways Some 2
Fitness Adequate 3

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House Prices

Current median sale prices · last 12 months · England & Wales only

Type Median price Sales
All dwellings £343,000 32
Terraced £346,250 14
5-year monthly trend
All Detached Semi Terraced
£306k £396k £489k £579k 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data (OGL v3.0)

Nearby places

Redlynch and Woodfalls 43 1.6 mi away ⇄
Lover 38 2.3 mi away ⇄
Breamore 47 2.4 mi away ⇄
Woodgreen 41 2.4 mi away ⇄
Nunton 45 3.0 mi away ⇄
Whaddon (Wiltshire) 44 3.5 mi away ⇄
West Grimstead 41 4.0 mi away ⇄
Britford 36 4.0 mi away ⇄
Godshill (New Forest) 42 4.1 mi away ⇄
Rockbourne 44 4.3 mi away ⇄
Fordingbridge 47 4.4 mi away ⇄
Whiteparish 46 4.6 mi away ⇄

Frequently asked questions

Is Downton a nice place to live?

Downton has some challenges compared to many UK areas. Our liveability score for Downton is 49/100, placing it among a below-average areas in the UK across nine categories: safety, schools, healthcare, environment, transport, broadband, lifestyle, economic health, and bills.

How safe is Downton?

Downton is a relatively safe area to live. Our safety score is 90/100. There were 152 crimes recorded in the area over the past 12 months.

What are the best schools in Downton?

Among the top-rated schools in Downton are Downton CofE VA Primary School and The Trafalgar School at Downton, rated Good by Ofsted. There are 2 rated schools in Downton in total.

What are house prices like in Downton?

The current median house price in Downton is £343,000, around 20% above the England and Wales average. By property type: terraced £346,250. Over the past five years, prices have risen by around 2%. There were 32 sales recorded in the past 12 months.

Downton in context

See the best places to live in Wiltshire, ranked

Postcode districts in Downton

SP5 44 ⇄

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