Llandeilo Scoops Top Place To Live Title
Five other Welsh towns named in Sunday Time Best Places to live list
Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire's been named the best place to live in Wales.
Its one of six Welsh locations named in the latest Sunday Time Best Places to live list.
Llandeilo's independent shops, brightly coloured buildings and backdrop of classically Welsh scenery won over those putting together this year's guide to the best places to live in the UK.
Six other Welsh destinations made the list of 70 which judges rated on a range of factors, from schools, transport and broadband to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
They were Conwy in Gwynedd, Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, Ruthin in Denbighshire, St Dogmaels in Pembrokeshire and the ancient Monmouthshire town of Usk.
But before you consider upping sticks - you might want to check out the average house price for each area - also included in the guide.
Winner: Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire: It’s rare to see so many nice things in such a small area. Whether you want a freshly made Welsh cake from Heavenly or a unique piece of local arts and crafts, the independent shops and cafés in Llandeilo's tiny centre are full of the good things in life. Its colourful houses are a delightful backdrop and the surrounding countryside is full of magical places to explore.
Average house price: £251,000; Growth since 2020: 18%
Conwy, Gwynedd (New): Stepping through Conwy’s ancient walls feels like entering a magical kingdom (especially during the annual pirate festival), but excellent road and rail links keep it within easy reach of large towns and cities and the mountains of Snowdonia. The ancient centre is full of independent shops and there’s golf, sailing and a popular Parkrun.
Average house price: £288,000; Growth since 2020: 20%
Penarth: This seaside suburb remains Cardiff’s best address, and also its healthiest, thanks to a population that’s always out enjoying the sea views, whether jogging, cycling or out on the water sailing or paddleboarding. The town centre is a good mix of the smart and the useful and the city centre is just a short train ride away.
Average house price: £366,000; Growth since 2020: 15%
Ruthin (New): From certain angles, Ruthin may look like the archetypal sleepy-but-beautiful historic Welsh town, but look a little closer and you’ll see an impressively dynamic little community working hard to thrive in the 21st century. There are walking and cycling routes everywhere, the old Courthouse has been converted into a business centre, and the historic market hall reopened last year as a very modern showcase for local arts, crafts and food. The stunning Ruthin Craft Centre attracts art-lovers from far and wide, and plans for a new velodrome will give its sporting credentials a boost.
Average house price: £277,000; Growth since 2020: 32%
St Dogmaels (New): The inspiring local producers’ market is the star attraction of this far-flung corner of beautiful Pembrokeshire. Poppit Sands is one of the area’s best beaches, there’s a village shop and a community that showed its mettle in getting together to save the White Hart Pub from closure.
Average house price: £234,000; Growth since 2020: 33%
Usk: The extraordinary community spirit of last year’s best-in-Wales continues undimmed. The Usk in Bloom volunteers have planted thousands of bulbs, there’s a new arboretum on the way and the many community groups are thriving. The houses are beautiful, it’s paradise for dog-walkers and the sporting opportunities are second to none.