LEWES has been named one of the best places to live in the Southeast of England by the Sunday Times guide.

The historic town was behind Surrey Hills, Amersham, Charlbury, Deal, Hambleden Valley and the Isle of Wight.

Places were judged on several factors such as transport connections, available supermarkets and independent shops around the town.

The Sunday Times also noted the town’s “tradition for radicalism” which has stretched back to the 13th century with the Battle of Lewes. Lewes’ incendiary traditions have continued with their famous annual bonfire night celebrations, with the town having seven different bonfire societies.

The judges were impressed by the variety of activities and clubs in the town, from life drawing to more conventional sports.

They also pointed out Pells Pool which is 160 years old and the oldest freshwater swimming pool in the country: “Almost 50 metres long and fed by natural springs, its waters may be crystal clear, but they are also definitely unheated.”

Lewes Football Club was described as “Lewes in a nutshell” – with the club having a strong connection to the community by providing its training pitches for many activities such as walking football. They are the only club in the world that pays its women’s team the same as the men’s team.

Charlie Dobres, a director of the football club told the Times that it’s a bit of a ‘marmite town’ – stating that you either love it or hate it.

He added: “The radicalism is part of the soul and DNA of Lewes, though it’s fun — radicalism with a wink. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved. It’s a town where you don’t have to be alone if you don’t want to”.

The town’s housing prices are above the Sussex average of £396,756, with the mid-range houses in Lewes costing £439,950.

Meanwhile, the cheapest houses in Lewes come in at £295,000 while the top end houses in the town cost as much as £895,000. The average rental price in Lewes is 1,100 pcm.

While the town’s main downfall is its lack of parking spaces due to the ancient narrow roads, Lewes train station has excellent connections to Hastings, Brighton and London. Lewes is also very hilly, meaning cycling can be quite a tiring option.