A Scottish seaside town has been named the best place to live in a top annual guide. The Sunday Times has just announced its “‘Best Places to Live” list, and the town of North Berwick in East Lothian has taken top spot.
It came first in a list of 72 locations that the publication has said are the best places to live in the UK. The guide, which includes why the publication believes the places are so good, was published online on Friday with a magazine supplement on Sunday.
For the first time in 12 years, a place in Scotland has won the Best Places to Live title. North Berwick was found to have an excellent high street packed with independent shops, good outdoors and houses that are perfect for families.
The judges really liked how easy it was to reach Edinburgh. It also loved the fact the way of life revolved around the town’s beaches as well as there being plenty to do for all ages.
This year’s guide, sponsored by Halifax, also picked the best spots in 10 different regions. These included Clerkenwell in London, Abergavenny in Wales, and Portstewart in Northern Ireland.
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “Wherever you are on the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.”
The locations were chosen after judges visited and assessed factors such as schools, transport, broadband speed, and culture. Kim Kinnaird, Halifax’s homes and protection director, said: “Where you want to live is a very personal decision.
“We know it can be daunting, whether it’s deciding where to buy your first home or making a move as your circumstances change. There can be lots to think about around what is right for you and your family.”
Previous winners of the title include Stamford, Lincolnshire (2013); Skipton, North Yorkshire (2014); Newnham, Cambridge (2015); Winchester, Hampshire (2016); Bristol (2017); York, North Yorkshire (2018); Salisbury, Wiltshire (2019); Altrincham, Cheshire (2020); Stroud, Gloucestershire (2021); Ilkley, West Yorkshire (2022); and Wadhurst, East Sussex (2023).
The 2024 regional winners
East of England: Wivenhoe, Essex
A welcoming community and a strong artistic tradition help the picturesque riverside town to stand out from its neighbours in the outer reaches of the Essex commuter belt, those behind the guide said.
London: Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell embodies all that is best about life in London, with culture covered by the Barbican and Sadler’s Wells and cosy pubs, cool cafes, lively bars and some of the city’s best restaurants, according to judges.
Midlands: Stirchley, Birmingham
This Birmingham suburb is a hidden gem with some of the city’s top bars, restaurants and cafes, according to judges.
North and North East: Leeds
Leeds got a thumbs up for its shopping spots, youthful vibe and great living options.
Northern Ireland: Portstewart, County Londonderry
Portstewart won hearts with its sandy beach, shops, cafes and rich cultural life.
North West: Stockport, Greater Manchester
Stockport was hailed as one of the most exciting towns, with its historic streets buzzing with independent businesses. It was praised for being practical and family-friendly, with train links, parks, sports clubs and affordable homes.
Scotland: West End, Dundee
Judges picked Dundee’s rejuvenated West End as their favourite spot in Scotland after North Berwick. They described it as vibrant and artsy, with regular festivals and events.
South East: Folkestone, Kent
Folkestone was applauded for its top-notch schools, modern sports facilities and fast trains to London.
South West: Sherborne, Dorset
Sherborne was labelled as charming and historic, with a friendly, lively community.
Wales: Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Judges loved the Abergavenny Food Festival and praised the town’s community spirit and diverse sporting scene.
The Full list of 72 top locations and average house price
East of England
Ingatestone, Essex, ÂŁ762,000
Norwich, Norfolk, ÂŁ312,500
Saffron Walden, Essex, ÂŁ572,000
Sheringham, Norfolk, ÂŁ401,000
The Shelfords, Cambridgeshire, ÂŁ591,000
The Shotley Peninsula, Suffolk, ÂŁ422,500
Wivenhoe, Essex, ÂŁ427,000
London
Clerkenwell, EC1, 765,500
Crouch End, N8, ÂŁ772,000
Forest Hill, SE23, ÂŁ579,500
Highams Park, E4, ÂŁ516,000
Little Venice, W2, ÂŁ1 million
London Fields, E8, ÂŁ654,500
Wimbledon Village, SW19, ÂŁ1.25 million
Midlands
Buxton, Derbyshire, ÂŁ256,000
Knowle and Dorridge, Solihull, ÂŁ620,000
Market Harborough, Leicestershire, ÂŁ405,500
Shropshire Hills, ÂŁ384,000
Stamford, Lincolnshire, ÂŁ428,000
Stirchley, Birmingham, ÂŁ283,000
Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire, ÂŁ210,500
North and North East of England
Boston Spa, West Yorkshire, ÂŁ445,000
Heaton, Newcastle, ÂŁ206,000
Leeds, ÂŁ265,500
Nether Edge, Sheffield, ÂŁ313,000
Saltaire, West Yorkshire, ÂŁ231,000
Skipton, North Yorkshire, ÂŁ327,500
Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, ÂŁ298,000
Yorkshire Wolds, ÂŁ225,000
Northern Ireland
Donaghadee, Co Down, ÂŁ225,000
Ormeau, Belfast, ÂŁ215,500
Portstewart, Co Londonderry, ÂŁ248,500
North West England
Christleton, Cheshire, ÂŁ442,000
Kendal, Cumbria, ÂŁ285,000
Knutsford, Cheshire, ÂŁ565,000
Prestwich, Greater Manchester, ÂŁ304,500
Ribble Valley, Lancashire, ÂŁ299,500
Sefton Park, Liverpool, ÂŁ277,000
Stockport, Greater Manchester, ÂŁ337,000
Scotland
Dunkeld, Perthshire, ÂŁ378,000
East Linton, East Lothian, ÂŁ364,500
Falkland, Fife, ÂŁ195,000
Kerrera, Inner Hebrides, No data available
Leith, Edinburgh, ÂŁ257,500
Newlands, Glasgow, ÂŁ303,500
North Berwick, East Lothian, ÂŁ515,500
West End, Dundee, ÂŁ360,500
South East of England
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, ÂŁ1 million
Farnham, Surrey, ÂŁ668,000
Folkestone, Kent, ÂŁ325,500
Hove, Brighton & Hove, ÂŁ505,000
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, ÂŁ372,000
Sevenoaks, Kent, ÂŁ712,000
St Albans, Hertfordshire, ÂŁ648,000
Stockbridge, Hampshire, ÂŁ720,500
Wadhurst, East Sussex, ÂŁ653,000
Winchester, Hampshire, ÂŁ610,000
South West of England
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, ÂŁ505,500
Clevedon, Somerset, ÂŁ395,000
Dartmouth, Devon, ÂŁ494,500
Exmouth, Devon, ÂŁ361,500
Falmouth, Cornwall, ÂŁ373,000
Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, ÂŁ486,000
Sherborne, Dorset, ÂŁ436,000
Tisbury, Wiltshire, ÂŁ522,500
Wales
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, ÂŁ318,000
Cardigan, Ceredigion, ÂŁ278,000
Conwy, ÂŁ312,000
Mumbles, Swansea, ÂŁ400,500
Narberth, Pembrokeshire, ÂŁ307,500
Presteigne, Powys, ÂŁ332,500
Vale of Glamorgan, ÂŁ339,500
For more details about the research, visit www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live.
