A medieval market town in Essex has been named the best place to live in the UK.
Located 15 miles south of Cambridge, picturesque Saffron Walden battled its way to the top of The Sunday Times judges’ list.
The quaint rural town, which has an average house price of £607,100, was the overall winner in this year’s Best Places to Live 2025 report.
Saffron Walden is littered with historic buildings, with St Mary’s Church, the largest parish church in Essex, at its centre.
The town has a beautiful historic square, featuring a town hall built in 1761, which was extensively remodelled and extended in 1879.
And beyond heritage, Saffron Walden has a modern high street, high-ranking schools and a market which has reportedly been trading since 1141 – as well as a vibrant food scene. With its picture postcard looks and ability to get to London in less than an hour by train, it’s not hard to see why people are flocking to live there.
Each of the 72 locations were judged by a lengthy list of criteria which included cultural enrichment, transport links, healthiness of the high streets, quality of the schools, access to green spaces, broadband speeds and strength of mobile signal.
With the overall winner revealed, MailOnline can show you the 10 regional victors – and give you the chance to see if your hometown features on the list…
The market square in Saffron Walden, Essex, featuring a town hall built in 1761 (left), an ornate library (centre, with clocktower) and ornamental drinking fountain
The picturesque Essex town of Saffron Walden was the overall winner in this year’s Best Places to Live 2025 report
Residents of the genteel town are close to a number of green spaces, including Bridge End Garden (pictured) with its famous hedge maze
Best place to live in the east of England: Chelmsford, Essex
While Saffron Walden was the judges’ overall number one pick, Chelmsford was their back-up choice for the east of England.
The city centre is set for a major overhaul, with huge sections set to be turned into a mixed-use riverside destination.
The city has changed a lot over the last decade, with a pothole-ridden car park turned into an upmarket shopping area known as Bond Street.
Essex’s county town has much-lauded educational institutions, including grammar schools like Chelmsford County High School for Girls (CCHS) and King Edward VI Grammar School (KEGS), as well as a spate of other high-performing comprehensives.
Famous for its medieval cathedral and its beautiful stained glass, Chelmsford also has its fair share of culture including theatres, a racecourse and parks.
The judges also singled out the city as an excellent commuter hub with modern, fast transport links.
The average house price for Chelmsford is £468,600, making it significantly cheaper than Saffron Walden, its Essex counterpart.
In 2025 a new station is set to open to cater for residents of the Beaulieu Park development – which the Academy of Urbanism dubbed the ‘Great Neighbourhood’ of 2024.
A modern development of commercial and residential buildings overlooking the River Chelmer in Chelmsford city centre
Picturesque buildings line Moulsham Street in the south of Chelmsford
Chelmsford also has a vibrant city centre, with numerous shopping streets and more to come
Best place to live in London: Walthamstow
Once a upmarket district in East London, Walthamstow suffered a kind of reverse gentrification when the Old Cambridge train line opened in 1840 – bringing an influx of working people into the area and seeing the wealthier residents flee.
Walthamstow remains proud of its working class roots – witness the cries of ‘gentrification’ when bougie bakery Gail’s opened its doors there last year.
But the town is a mix of old and new, with greasy spoons and old boozers rubbing shoulders with chi-chi wine bars and pricey brunch spots.
With a name meaning ‘the welcome place,’ Walthamstow high street is home to Europe’s longest outdoor market, with peddlers selling everything from fruit and veg to saris.
Famous as the birthplace of boyband East 17 and artist William Morris – who has a museum dedicated to him – the area is also home to the newly-reopened Soho Theatre, a cinema and a number of hip music venues.
Walthamstow is also great for Londoners who crave green space, with the wetlands area on the west side of the town perfect for tranquil strolls around the reservoirs.
Residents also have easy access to Walthamstow Marshes, a haven for wildlife in the city, as well as a regular street food market in Lloyd Park.
The average house price in Walthamstow is £532,800, slightly under the London average.
Waltham Forest Town Hall in Walthamstow, a grade II listed public building in the classical style
Walthamstow residents have access to acres of green space, with the giant wetlands on the west side of the neighbourhood
Bonners fish and chip shop in Walthamstow which features a Banksy artwork of a pelican eating a fish above its sign
Best place to live in the Midlands: Ilmington, Warwickshire
Around eight miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon, Ilmington, on the edge of the Cotswolds, is as quaint as it gets.
With two village greens, a church dating back to the 12th century and a mix of beautiful stone and redbrick houses, this is a model of rural beauty.
The civil parish registered a population of only 712 in the 2011 census and the mass majority of visitors are walkers come to hike in the lush surrounding landscsape.
Situated at the foot of the Ilmington Downs, the highest point in Warwickshire, the area is renowned for good pubs and a community shop run by volunteers.
It is also home to Ilmington Manor, an Elizabeth manor house, built in the 1590s, which occupies fifteen acres in the heart of the village.
The house fell into disrepair in the 19th century but in the 1920s a formal rose garden and topiary garden were planted – which the present owners have continued to work on and now open to the public on occasion.
Despite the air of tranquility, Ilmington also has an array of sports clubs and community groups, with the average house costing £458,100.
The Howard Arms in Ilmington, Warwickshire, with colourful hanging baskets on the front of this popular Cotswold pub
A street in the cosy Warwickshire village of Ilmington, which had a population of only 712 in the 2011 census
Best place to live in the north and northeast of England: Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Homebuyers looking for some fresh air might want to consider Ilkley in West Yorkshire.
The town is most famous for its stunning surrounding moorland, which inspired the 1952 song On Ilkla Mooar Baht ‘at (‘On Ilkley Moor Without A Hat’ rendered into Yorkshire dialect).
While it can get brisk in the winter months, residents can warm themselves with a pint in a cosy pub or over a fish and chip supper.
Nestled on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the views are unbeatable and there are good transport links to Leeds, Bradford and Halifax, as well as excellent schools.
The town was actually chosen as the national winner in 2022, with the judges praising ‘the fresh air, fantastic scenery, excellent schools and direct trains to Leeds’.
The average house price there is £532,200, with homeowners paying a premium due to strong demand, its location as a commuter hub and its natural beauty.
An aerial view of Ilkley, one of the most picturesque towns in West Yorkshire, famous for its natural beauty and its tearooms
Ilkley is known for its famous moorland, which features in an old song called ‘On Ilkley Moor Bar t’At’ (‘on Ilkley Moor without a hat’ in Yorkshire dialect)
The West Yorkshire town also has a picturesque centre, featuring some beautiful historic buildings
Best place to live in Northern Ireland: Dundrum, Co Down
This beautiful village is situated next to Dundrum Bay, which is made up of the Outer Bay and the almost entirely landlocked Inner Bay.
The stunning landscape makes it one of the most desirable settings in all of Northern Ireland.
Located approximately 35 miles south of Belfast, the village is best-known for the ruins of its Anglo-Norman castle, which dates back to 1177.
Its circular keep is set high on a hill high above the sea where it has watched over the residents for centuries.
Also on your doorstep is the Murlough National Nature Reserve, a 6,000-year-old sand dune system – making it a paradise for hikers and birdspotters.
As well as its natural beauty, the area – which as an average house price of £222,300 – is home to a booming culinary scene featuring both cheap eateries and fine dining.
Dundrum stunning setting makes it one of the most desirable settings in all of Northern Ireland
Located approximately 35 miles south of Belfast, the village is best-known for the ruins of its Anglo-Norman castle, which dates back to 1177
Best place to live in the northwest of England: Woolton, Liverpool
Woolton is famous as the Liverpool suburb where future Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met.
The duo were first introduced by a friend while John was playing a gig at a village fete at St Peter’s Church.
Nearly 70 years on, the village is now replete with cool coffee shops, hip cocktail lounges and great neighbourhood pubs.
The area’s school also score highly for academic achievement, with the average house price £281,800.
A shot of the clocktower of St Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool – the site of the first meeting between future Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney
A terrace of red brick houses in Woolton, Liverpool, judged the best place to live in the northwest of England
Best place to live in Scotland: North Berwick, East Lothian
North Berwick is a seaside town around 20 miles northeast of the Scottish capital Edinburgh.
In the 19th century it became a desirable holiday hotspot because of its two beautiful sandy bays: the East (or Milsey) Bay and the West Bay.
The top spot in Scotland won plaudits for its excellent schools, array of independent businesses and its breathtaking natural beauty.
Golf courses at the ends of each bay are some of the most picturesque in the UK, and the average house price comes in at £523,500.
A row of houses line the waterfront on the West Bay beach of North Berwick in Scotland
A aerial view of North Berwick taken from the surrounding hills, showing its picturesque setting
Best place to live in the southeast of England: Petersfield, Hampshire
Petersfield is an ancient market town in Hampshire, situated amid beautiful countryside and known as the ‘gateway’ to the South Downs National Park.
Formerly an important coaching stop on the London to Portsmouth road, it has blossomed into a family-friendly neighbourhood featuring bustling weekly markets.
With a population of around 15,000, Petersfield has a lively cultural repertoire, including theatre, music and art venues.
There’s also an overhauled museum as well as a Physic Garden and the spectacular Norman church of St Peter’s – with the South Downs on your doorstep.
With an average house price of £605,100, this is one of the most sought-after places to live in the southeast of England.
Petersfield is an ancient market town in Hampshire, situated amid beautiful countryside and known as the ‘gateway’ to the South Downs National Park
Best place to live in the southwest of England: Chew Valley, Somerset
The Chew Valley combines mesmerising landscapes with proximity to the benefits of fast-paced Bristol living.
Only five miles south of its closest city, it forms part of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This is an area of beautiful lakes, winding country roads and gentle rolling hills.
There’s also a huge premium placed on local produce, with many of the cafes and restaurants in the region sourcing ingredients from nearby producers.
The average house price is £512,500 – with easy access for work into the urban hub of Bristol.
An aerial view over Chew Valley Lake, the UK’s fifth-largest artificial lake, in Chew Stoke, Chew Valley, Somerset
Best place to live in Wales: Gower Peninsula, Swansea
The moody Gower Peninsula was the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956.
Known for its rugged coastlines and gorgeous beaches, it spans approximately 19 miles.
Commuters have rapid access to nearby Swansea, but with views this good most won’t want to leave.
The average house price is £310,200 – almost half the average price of the national winner Saffron Walden.
Waves roll into Bracelet Bay on the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, with the Mumbles Lighthouse visible in the background
