The Sunday Times has officially unveiled its highly anticipated Best Places to Live in the UK guide for 2026, with a rural city in eastern England securing the prestigious top position. Norwich has been crowned the overall national winner, praised for its unique fusion of historical charm and modern appeal.
Norwich Takes the Crown
Norwich earned the highest accolade in the Sunday Times rankings, described by judges as a "creative, cosmopolitan city with a small-town feel." The city was lauded for blending "medieval heritage and contemporary cool," alongside attributes of being "trendy but kind, with a green conscience and a warm heart." Notably, Norwich holds the distinction of being the only location to have appeared in all 14 editions of the annual list since its inception.
The city offers residents a mix of urban convenience and rural tranquillity, with easy access to The Fens and the eastern coastline. As the UK's first UNESCO City of Literature, Norwich boasts a rich cultural scene, including numerous theatres, attractions, and a renovated Norman castle.
Full List of Winners Across Regions
The Sunday Times expert panel toured locations nationwide, evaluating criteria such as broadband speeds, school standards, high street vitality, and community spirit. The complete list of 11 regional winners for 2026 includes:
- Norwich (East) – National Winner
- Malmesbury, Wiltshire (Southwest)
- Skipton, North Yorkshire (North and Northeast)
- Lindfield, West Sussex (Southeast)
- The Malverns, Worcestershire (Midlands)
- Usk, Monmouthshire (Wales)
- Linlithgow, West Lothian (Scotland)
- Ballycastle, County Antrim (Northern Ireland)
- Richmond, TW9, TW10 (London)
- Altrincham, Greater Manchester (Northwest)
- Manningtree, Essex (East)
Runners-Up and Highlights
Malmesbury in Wiltshire claimed second place, with the Sunday Times noting its historic high street as a strong indicator of the town's health. In third position, Skipton in North Yorkshire was highlighted as a desirable market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales.
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, commented: "This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the wonderful work that communities across the country are doing."
Housing Market Insights
Lloyds Banking Group provided average house price data for the winning locations, revealing a wide range from £252,300 to £916,900. Norwich recorded an average house price of £324,400. Ballycastle in County Antrim had the lowest average price at £252,300, while Richmond in London registered the highest at £916,900.
For context, UK Government figures show the average house price across London was £551,000 in December 2025, underscoring the premium attached to some of these sought-after locations.
