Sunday Times Best Places to Live: Wadhurst in Sussex wins title

Wadhurst has been given the title by the Sunday Times in its annual Best Places To Live Guide.

The market town, which is east of Crowborough, was named the overall winner and was praised by judges for its “good schools, convenient transport connections, an amazingly well-stocked high street and stunning scenery”.

The Sunday Times have named the town the best place to live in the UK (Image: PA)

They said that it offers “pretty much everything needed for modern life in miniature”.

It takes over the top spot from Ilkley in West Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Chichester was named the best place to live in the South East of England.

The Sunday Times judges praised the city for its mix of history and modern culture, its excellent schools, convenient transport connections, proximity to the South Downs National Park and shopping that meets most budgets. 

Chichester Cathedral (Image: cnx4004)

“Chichester has both class and a heart,” they said.

“The beautiful historic town has welcomed the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per head in the country.

“It has good schools and transport links but it’s the easy access to both the South Downs and Chichester Harbour plus a healthy dose of culture from the Festival Theatre and Pallant Gallery that elevate it far above the South Coast sprawl.”

Nine other locations across the South East are featured in the comprehensive guide.

Brighton’s Seven Dials was branded the city’s “coolest enclave”, with judges saying: “There's a good reason why the hilltop neighbourhood of Seven Dials is regularly namechecked as Brighton’s coolest enclave.

Wadhurst Castle (Image: PA)

“It has a genuine village feel, with its beautifully preserved Victorian terraced houses and villas, independent shops and views of the South Downs. With Preston Park on the doorstep, and the station and seafront a short walk away, it’s easily the best place to enjoy Brighton’s bewitching mix of grit and glamour.”

Lindfield, just north of Haywards Heath, also gets a mention.

“With its duck pond, rose-covered historic houses and a pretty common full of dog walkers, Lindfield looks like the perfect English village,” judges said.

“Its excellent pubs, coffee shops and a high street with a baker, greengrocer, butcher and classy interiors shops and boutiques back that up in style.”

Helen Davies, the editor of Best Places To Live 2023, said: “When times are tough, where we live matters more than ever. Attractive surroundings, good neighbours and a comfortable home are the best defences when the stresses of modern life seem overwhelming.

Wadhurst (Image: PA)

“This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2023 from Orkney to Felixstowe, the Chew Valley to Manchester city centre. Whether you’re downsizing, trading up or getting on to the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.”

The Sunday Times’ expert judges visited all 72 locations on the list and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

You can see the full Sunday Times Best Places to Live list here.