Winner 4
North and Northeast 16
Scotland 20
Southeast 7
East 12
Midlands 26
Northern Ireland 39
Wales 40
Northwest 30
Southwest 34
London 43
Contents
T
en years ago, when
Best Places to Live
launched its
inaugural list,
it was all
about spa
towns, schools and
the predominance
of the Southeast.
The WFH
revolution had not yet
reached our doorstep
and high streets were
stacked with chains. How
times have changed — and
how welcome that change is.
The pandemic has
transformed what we look for
in a home: space, good
neighbours and the
consolations of nature are just
as important as an extra point
on the GCSE grade or a
speedy commute to the city.
Russell Galley, managing
director at Halifax, this year’s
sponsor, says: “When it
comes to choosing a home,
certain things always appeal
— friendly communities,
green spaces, rich history and
thriving independent
businesses. At Halifax we
know that the housing market
can be challenging, but taking
a look at these fantastic
locations will always be a
good idea, as there are
options for different budgets
and family situations,
alongside an exciting blend of
urban and rural living.”
Affordability is a key
concern and there is no
getting away from the fact
that in many of our 70
featured locations house
prices are high. So this year,
we have also highlighted
up-and-coming locations
within each region.
Happy reading.HELEN
DAVIESEditor Helen Davies
Chief writer Tim Palmer
Designer Phil Robinson
Pictures Sean McKillop
Production Holly Stevenson
(chief sub editor), Katherine Fidler,
Chris Jervis, Gabriel Samuels,
Odile Thomas, Hannah Skellern
Contibutors Gabriella Bennett,
Matthew Davis, Jayne Dowle,
Alexandra Goss, Cathy Hawker,
Malcolm Jack, Cherry Maslen,
Georgina Smith, Emma WellsEditor- Best homes for sale 24
HOW WE DID IT
T
he Best Places to Live
list is necessarily
subjective. Leave it
just to statistics and
you will never capture the
spirit of a place. For that,
you need to visit to take
into account that “you
have to be here” feeling.
It’s not the number of
pubs, it’s the quality of
food and the company —
the same with coffee
shops, and the high street.
For example, can you get
nails as well as getting
your nails done?
It has been a
challenging few years on
the travel front, but where
possible our team of
writers have toured the UK
and spoken to locals. They
have also assessed the
schools (using the latest
Ofsted reports and The
Sunday Times Parent
Power guide), transport
(not just trains to London,
but cycling commutes,
parking charges and EV
charger provisions) and
access to the great
outdoors. House prices
have been provided
by our sponsor
Halifax, while
Thinkbroadband.
com has supplied
details on local
options, which
together offer the
best blend of
connectivity,
convenience,
countryside and,
above all, community.In it together
Outside the Box which serves the
best coffee in Ilkley; Wayne Yates
and Libby Mellows in community-
centric Trawden, Lancashire; a
house for sale in Farnham, SurreyALEX TOOTHILL/OUTSIDE THE BOX CAFE; LORNE CAMPBELL/GUZELIAN; COVER: ANDREW GARDNER/GETTY IMAGESApril 10, 2022 3