Eight places in the Midlands have been chosen by the Sunday Times for its annual Best Places to Live guide. Among those picked from the Midlands, two Birmingham districts that are no strangers to such accolades in more recent times.
This year’s guide includes more new entries than ever before. They were picked out by the Sunday Times’ expert judges, who visited all the locations and made their judgements based on factors like schools, transport, broadband speed, culture, and access to green spaces and the health of the high street.
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.
“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 onto the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you.”
Nationally, Wadhurst in East Sussex was named the overall winner of Best Places to Live. It was praised by judges for its “good schools, convenient transport connections, an amazingly well-stocked high street and stunning scenery”.
Published by The Sunday Times, the guide includes 72 locations across the UK and in the Midlands, the winner is a town in Warwickshire with less than 95,000 population.
Here are the eight places in the Midlands named the Best Places to Live in 2023, by the Sunday Times:
1. Leamington Spa, Warwickshire - Winner
What the Sunday Times said: “The Silicon Spa combines period charm with very modern innovation. It’s a major hub for digital industries and its high-tech credentials are about to get a power-up from the launch of a new Creative Quarter. It also has beautiful, well tended parks, excellent transport links, good schools and a town centre with a combination of useful chains and interesting independent shops and cafes.” (Photo - Vauxford/CC by SA 4 International) | Vauxford/CC by SA 4 International
2. Digbeth, Birmingham
What the Sunday Times said: “ Digbeth continues to impress. Its tangle of canals, old railway arches and industrial warehouses, all decorated with extravagant street art, is an evocative backdrop to one of the country’s most exciting live/work/play districts.” (Photo - The Relationship Co) | The Relationship Co
3. Stirchley, Birmingham
What the Sunday Times said: “It’s a good time to be in Birmingham, thanks to new tram routes, completed building works and a reputation as the most exciting city for food in the UK. Stirchley offers value in its unflashy terraced houses, a good local primary and excellent transport and a high street bursting with interesting places to eat and drink, from the artisan bakery Loaf, stylish and delicious Eat Vietnam and Couch, a friendly neighbourhood bar that also serves serious cocktails.” (Photo - Google Maps) | Google maps
4. Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire
What the Sunday Times said: “There’s an appealing independent streak that sets Bishop’s Castle apart from its neighbours in the lovely Shropshire Hills. The steep high street is bursting with interest – nowhere more than at the wonderful Poetry Pharmacy, that offers verse in capsule form. Leisure and arts centres, good schools and the country’s oldest brewery and a lively pub scene are additional attractions.” (Photo - Richard Webb/Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0) | Richard Webb/Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0