New Market Street in Usk has been named WalesOnline's Best Street to Live 2026, a historic road lined with a visually striking collection of properties, the majority of which are listed. Homes rarely become available on this popular address, and residents say nothing would make them want to leave.
The street features houses dating from the 1500s through to the Victorian era, including Georgian houses, former coach houses, a hall house and a barn, all set along a cobbled pavement. Little has changed over the centuries, apart from the addition of cars and wheelie bins.
Residents describe the street as friendly, elegant and serene
Residents repeatedly use the word "friendly" to describe life on the street. Annamay Keating-Hayes, who has lived there for more than 30 years, adds "elegant" and "serene" to that description. She said: "The street has a lovely aspect. I think as you come down it and you see all the houses and that beautiful big tree, it just has a serene feel about it, a calmness about it. The way it splits, and you've got the British Legion at the bottom that was the old market, it just has a lovely aesthetic to it, it's very balanced."
She added: "And all the architecture is so different, every house is different and the street is so wide you can actually see them. With narrower streets it's much harder to appreciate the buildings. People look after the houses as well – they're well-maintained."
Local businessman Clive Jones said: "That's quite right. It's a well-kept street – people look after it. The other morning one guy, Rob, was out tidying up the bins and weeding the street – at 7.30am in the morning. I can tell you now, there's not a bad person on the street, they're all very nice people. And it has such character – it still has flagstone pavements and embedded river pebbles where they used to have the market stalls, and no two houses look the same. It's a wonderful street to call home."
A street full of history and community
The street was established in 1598 when the town market moved from Twyn Square to this road, explaining its extra width and the large building at one end. Now the British Legion, this site was once the old market and town hall and has also served from 1857 as the first headquarters and cells for the Monmouthshire constabulary, a council chamber, and a fire station.
The former market square is home to the Usk Boer War Memorial, a black polished granite column with white word engravings, as well as a large tree and Victorian-style lampposts. The Old House, a half-timbered property painted pink, is thought to be the oldest on the street, dating back to around 1550. Ynys Hafod and the adjoining Min-yr-Afon hold a Grade II* listing from Cadw and date to at least 1575.
Anthony and Gillian Armitage have lived on the street for more than 57 years. Anthony said: "For me the street is special for the variety of properties on it and the variety of people in it, who seem to come from all walks of life, I would describe it as attractive and friendly."
What makes the street so special to those who live there
Phillip and Tracey Huxley have called New Market Street home for 30 years. Tracey said: "Everybody looks out for everyone, it's very neighbourly, we have lovely neighbours, and everybody knows everybody. On the street, if there was a problem, then you could just knock on a door and say: 'Something's happened' and there would be support. When we went to visit our daughter in Australia and came back our lovely neighbour had mown our lawn."
Phillip added: "And when the smoke alarm was going off because of low batteries he came in and changed them – he sorted it out for us."
Liza Gurie, one of the newest residents with five years on the street, said: "My mum and dad moved to the street 30 years ago so I knew it well and really liked it and that everyone says hello, and it has such a friendly feeling. We fell in love with the house and so moving here was an easy decision. It has a little street community and our neighbours are all wonderful – we felt welcome from the moment we moved in. Every house in the road has its own little identity but somehow it just gels. Of course it's amazing to win but to us it's just our street."
Amanda Field, from The Agency UK, said: "New Market Street is one of the most beautiful streets in Usk, with some of the town's largest and grandest period properties. The houses here are full of character with impressive Georgian frontages, lovely proportions, high ceilings, sash windows, and beautiful original features. Some really do have a sense of grandeur that you don't often find. For me the street really stands out for the size, elegance, and individuality of its homes – it's very popular with buyers for its truly special properties."
Meirion Howells, Monmouthshire County Councillor for Llanbadoc and Usk Ward, said: "While I might jokingly argue that Maryport Street was robbed of the title, there's no doubt that New Market Street is a worthy winner. This recognition is fantastic news for Usk as a whole and reflects the hard work of our independent businesses, community groups, and local residents who make the town such a vibrant and welcoming place. Awards like this put Usk firmly on the map and remind us what a special place we are fortunate to call home. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this happen."
Clive Jones added: "Nothing would make me leave the street but if I ever had to go I would miss everything about it, the peace and the quietness, because there's no deliveries to businesses which other streets have, but it is also a vibrant street, there are things going on, and the community is wonderful. Not only is it WalesOnline's winner, I'd also describe it in three words as the best-kept street."
