The district is named after its main settlement of Winchester, which is where the council is based and is also the county town of Hampshire.

The city boundaries also encompass a large surrounding rural area, including the towns of New Alresford and Whiteley and numerous villages.

The neighbouring districts are Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Havant, Portsmouth, Fareham, Eastleigh and Test Valley.

Winchester was an ancient borough, which had additionally held city status from time immemorial.

The city traces its history to the Roman Era, developing from the town of Venta Belgarum.

The office of Mayor of Winchester was created sometime between 1190 and 1200, making it the second oldest mayoralty in England, after London.

[4][5] The borough was significantly enlarged in 1932, absorbing Weeke and gaining territory from several other surrounding parishes.

Hamble Valley constituency lies mostly within the boroughs of Eastleigh and Fareham, but also includes Winchester's Whiteley and Shedfield ward.