Life in Sussex town Wadhurst named among best places to live in UK

Wadhurst, named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times last year, featured on the list again as one of the top areas in the South East.

Judges praised the town’s “good schools, convenient transport connections, an amazingly well-stocked high street and stunning scenery”.

But what is it actually like to live in this picturesque town?

Sue Smith has lived in Wadhurst for 17 years.

She and her family were living in Bromley, south east London, in September 2007 but wanted to be somewhere more rural.

Wadhurst was named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times in 2023 (Image: Submitted)

Sue, who lives in Lower High Street, said: “It was just by chance we ended up here.

“We had never been here before, didn’t know it, but had met someone in Borneo on holiday who lived here.

“Although it is classed as a town it was very village-y which we loved.

“We liked the feel of the High Street and it was instant really. It is so important to us to be able to get up to London.”

The 62-year-old said there is so much going on.

Sue Smith, second from left, and her 90-year-old mother, left and their family at a late night Christmas shopping event in Wadhurst. (Image: Sue Smith)

“For nine months of the year we show a film, we have state-of-the-art equipment. There are amateur dramatics and concerts in the church including one with a local opera singer who brought their West End musical colleagues.”

Among Sue’s favourite stores in the High Street is The Artful Grocers, a greengrocer and deli with a café inside.

“It has a pop-up restaurant on weekends so it is all on our doorstep.”

• READ MORE: Wadhurst named best place to live in UK in 2023

The popular Literary Lounge organised by Barnett’s of Wadhurst book shop. Visiting authors have included Kate Mosse and TV and radio presenter Jon Harvey. (Image: Literary Lounge)

Others are less pleased by the town.

Ellie Garvey is an HR consultant who moved to the Bruce Manor Estate just off Mayfield Lane around seven months ago.

She had been looking to move from Beckenham, Kent, to be nearer to her sister in West Sussex.

“The high street is quaint and lovely. But it has got four high street shops that sell the same thing,” she said.

“I speak to local businesses who say the water supply goes down all the time. The electricity switches off during poor weather.

The Artful Grocers is home to a pop-up restaurant on weekends (Image: PA)

“The high street is diabolical when it comes to driving through. It has very small roads for huge lorries, and on the school run, unless you’ve got the patience of the saint you will go mad.

“There are potholes absolutely everywhere. Hedgerows and paths littered with rubbish.”

Rita Swanton, 78, lives in Sparrows Green. She had lived in nearby Ticehurst for 37 years before moving to Wadhurst seven years ago.

“It is a nice friendly village,” Rita said.

“I know the high street is not terribly wide so if you park both sides it's not easy to get through.

A ballet class in Wadhurst (Image: Cygnets to swans ballet class)

“I don’t go out that time if I can avoid it but I know many people have to.

“The community is doing more and more for young people.”

• READ MORE: Hove and Rye among best places to live

Rita praised the high street for its takeaways and cafes. One of her favourite stores is Jackie Martell, which sells clothes and accessories.

Sue added: “The parking and the congestion has increased as the village and town has become more popular.

“We have more houses but equally we have more businesses which are really good. It is bringing people to Wadhurst, and although it can be an inconvenience it’s a small price to pay.

“Not everything is closing in the village, they aren’t dying on their feet. It's lively and thriving.”

Wadhurst Warriors putting the Christmas Lights up. The warriors are a group of volunteers that run many community events and raise money for charity (Image: Wadhurst Warriors)

While Ellie likes the One Interiors shop and Indian Spice takeaway, she said the town lacks a good bakery and dry cleaners.

Ellie said: “A market town should have all of the amenities.

“The countryside is stunning, it is beautiful, but if you live in the area and do your daily events not as a tourist or visitor it is very different.”

Ellie questioned how The Sunday Times made its ranking and suggested Beckenham in Greater London is far better.

“Beckenham is a vibrant village, brilliant for young workers going into London because it has such a fantastic train journey,” she said.

“Young professionals can do so much more with their lives.

“I don’t know what the criteria is but Wadhurst is definitely not the prettiest or cleanest.”

The Sunday Times said its expert judges have visited all the locations 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. 

“There’s definitely an extra buzz about Wadhurst’s tidy streets since the village was named the best place to live in the UK in last year’s guide,” judges said.

“Beauty is more than skin deep here. There are timber-framed and tile-hung cottages, all set against the stirring backdrop of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“It’s also a hive of activity with a proud, caring community.”