Sherborne ranked Best Place to Live in South West

The town's ranked highly in the prestigious Sunday Times list

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 15th Mar 2024
Last updated 15th Mar 2024

It seems Dorset can lay claim to the South West's Best Place to Live, according to an annual list published by the Sunday Times.

Sherborne has come out on top for the region, sitting alongside 71 other locations across the UK.

The judges said of the North Dorset town:

“A busy high street and high-class education helped to make this community-centred, cultured town our best address in the southwest. Sherborne is handsome and historic, but it’s the friendly, energetic population that really makes it stand out.

"There are more than 200 community groups covering every conceivable interest, while the opening of Sherborne House as a high-end arts and community centre later this spring will add extra cachet to a town that already has a perceptible spring in its step.”

The Isle of Purbeck is the only other place in Dorset on the list.

The Isle of Purbeck is also on the list of Best Places to Live in the South West

About there, judges said:

"This is the place to live a country life by the sea. There’s countryside here for everyone, with cliffs, moorland, meadows and marshes. Swanage, the largest town, is a seaside resort that’s traditional yet lively, with its high street of independent shops and a calendar packed with festivals."

The Sunday Times assesses factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said:

“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there. That means we can see what people really love about the places they live. That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community.

“We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion- as long as they provide value for money. Different people may be looking for different things, but what all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home.”

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