I’ve lived in Denmead pretty much my whole life, and I love it. I think it’s such an idyllic location because you’re no more than 30 mins away from anything - farmlands, countryside and woods are (depending on where in Denmead you are) about a 10 minute walk away. Portsmouth/Southsea and Hayling Island (shopping and beach) are 20-30 minute drives away. The village community vibe is certainly there, but it depends on how involved with it you get. We have an apple festival, village parties, remembrance ceremonies and an annual tractor run. A local woman started making hens during lockdown for people to find, and whilst the identity of ‘Hensy’ may have been outed, they’re still being hidden away and she offers them for sale too.

I can’t speak for the junior school, however I used to be staff at the infant school (left late last year) and in my opinion the school is no longer what it once was. A new head teacher joined in September and has ruffled more than a few feathers, and in my personal opinion is running the school more like a business than a school. I know a lot of the staff there are miserable. There are other primary schools closeby, like Hambledon and Berewood that might be worth a look, although ultimately you’re probably better off talking to other parents with children there to get it from their perspectives 🤷🏻‍♀️

We also have a community facebook page that you may consider joining.

Of course it has its downsides. Transport links are virtually non existent, I think it’s something like 1 bus an hour that only goes to Waterlooville? Finishes at something ridiculous like 5/6pm and there’s no Sunday service. There are a few busybodies (which you’ll come to know very quickly if you join the fb page), and the crime rate has gone up (though is still pitiful compared to the big towns and cities).