Eight Welsh towns and suburbs have been named among the best places to live in Britain for 2027 by the lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos, which compiled a list of 260 villages, towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
The website's judges considered food and drink venues, social spaces, retail offerings, community spirit, cultural amenities, area, transport links and hidden local treasures when deciding which locations made the list.
Wales described as 'compact but mighty'
Muddy Stilettos described Wales as a whole as 'compact but mighty, Wales dazzles with beaches, mountains, creative spirit, and a proudly independent streak that runs through everything from its music to its menus. Expect big views, bold ideas, and a life that's rich in character – and cake'.
The eight Welsh locations highlighted are Abergavenny, Betws-y-Coed, Cardigan, Cowbridge, Hay-on-Wye, Narberth, Newport in Pembrokeshire and Pontcanna in Cardiff.
Abergavenny and Betws-y-Coed
Abergavenny in Monmouthshire was praised for its amenities, scenery and welcoming community, with the website noting these factors drive property prices upwards. According to Rightmove using Land Registry data, house prices in Abergavenny average £352,564 over the last year, compared with the Welsh national average of £216,000 published by the Office for National Statistics. Monmouthshire is consistently the most expensive county to buy a home in Wales.
The website said: "A friendly, historic market town, Abergavenny offers a magical combination of community culture, outdoor pursuits and indoor pleasures." The town has its own theatre, an independent cinema and independent shops, while the Abergavenny Food Festival attracts thousands of visitors every September.
Betws-y-Coed, described as the gateway to Eryri (Snowdonia), was praised for its mountain walks, waterfalls, independent shops and community spirit. The website said: "Betws-y-Coed has a special kind of charm that's hard to beat. Amongst the forests, rivers and mountains of Eryri, this picturesque village offers the chance to make the great outdoors part of everyday life."
Cardigan, Cowbridge and Hay-on-Wye
Cardigan, on the Ceredigion coast and River Teifi estuary, was highlighted for its beaches, quirky shops and coastal path. The website said: "If you're searching for historic, beautiful and friendly Wales, Cardigan may be the town for you." The town has its own castle, built by Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd in 1171, which hosted the first recorded Eisteddfod.
Cowbridge, a market town commutable to Cardiff, was praised for its traditional high street with independent boutiques and family-run businesses. The website said: "Life moves at a gentler pace, with a traditional high street lined with independent boutiques, family run businesses and everything from penny sweet shops to jewellers selling Welsh gold."
Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh-English border, was noted for its bookshops and literary reputation. The website said: "Hay-on-Wye has a special kind of charm that's hard to put into words... with bookshops lining the streets, independent businesses around every corner and a community that takes pride in its creative spirit."
Narberth, Newport and Pontcanna
Narberth in Pembrokeshire was described as 'a peachy base for living in west Wales' with woodland walks, sandy coves and a buzzy town centre. WalesOnline awarded it the best place to live in Wales in 2026.
Newport in Pembrokeshire was praised for its closeness to Newport Sands, a mile-long sandy beach, and its sweeping views across the Preseli Hills. The website said: "With a stunning coastline, strong sense of community and arty vibe, beautiful Newport is bursting with life."
Pontcanna in Cardiff was described as one of the coolest areas in the capital, with independent coffee shops, retailers and eateries. The website said: "A colourful neighbourhood that feels like home... It's one of the coolest areas in Cardiff, with young professionals and families flocking in."
The suburb has an average house price of £377,998, according to Rightmove. The majority of properties sold in Pontcanna during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average of £458,592, while flats sold for an average of £233,382 and semi-detached properties fetched £429,500.
