By James Simons-
Ilkley in West Yorkshire, you can be feeling very proud today. The town, north west of Leeds and Bradford, was praised by the Sunday Times for its top schools, interesting shops, spectacular scenery and convenient rail links.
Judges were also impressed by its sports clubs and opportunities for young people, and by the energetic community spirit. The guide also includes a list of regional winners.
The Isle of Bute was identified as the best place to live in Scotland while Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, was placed top in Wales. The comprehensive guide is released online on Friday and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges assessed a wide range of factors, from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
Crystal Palace has led six london locations into the 2022 edition of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list, taking the crown this year.
The borough was praised by the Sunday Times for its “community spirit and a fascinating history”
They said: ” While the mix of green spaces, pretty Victorian streets and chichi shopping and dining isn’t unique, Crystal Palace has a welcome urban edge, too – as well as community spirit and a fascinating history.”
Crystal Palace has had a growth of 17% since 2020 and has an average house price of just £587,000. Close behind the winner was “London’s last hidden gem” Hanwell that’s described by Sunday Times as: “is perfectly placed to take advantage of the overdue opening of the Elizabeth Line.
“The community works hard – with the Hanwell Big Local project offering everything from Christmas craft workshops to women’s boxing – and plays hard, especially at the free Hanwell Hootie.”
King’s Cross also made the list with its convenient location and stylish aesthetics, and has an average house price of £655,000.
The Southwest suburb of New Malden makes a new addition to the list with its “large, vibrant Korean community” , making this “Solid SouthWest London suburb both a feast for the taste buds and a place of pilgrimage for fans of Squid Game and BTS.”
Last year’s winner Teddington was beaten but still makes the list with its “gorgeous green spaces, dreamy Thames-side towpaths and vibrant high street.”
Last on the list is Victoria Park which “offers easy access to the happening ’hoods, but its family-friendly blend of glorious green space, independent shops and pubs, strong state schools, and yellow-brick period homes would stand out anywhere.”
An average house price for each location has been supplied by Halifax, the sponsor of the guide, and up-to-date information on broadband speeds has been provided by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband.
The comprehensive guide, which includes 70 locations, is released online today and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday.
Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “The Sunday Times 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. Is the pub
“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island.
“We hope there is something to suit everyone.”
King’s Cross and Victoria Park were also been named among the best places to live in London in a prestigious annual guide.
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2022 features six areas of London, chosen based on range of factors from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
The guide, which includes 70 locations across 10 regions of the UK, is released online today and an edited version will be available in the newspaper on Sunday.