Best of Britain? Go East

Market towns within stone’s throw of capital lead quality of life poll

WITH its bustling market towns, leafy villages and country walks, it is a pocket of calm within touching distance of the capital.

Which is perhaps why East Hertfordshire has earned the title of the UK’s best place to live, according to a quality of life survey.

Boasting popular commuter towns such as Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford, the district topped the list thanks to its excellent schools, good life expectancy and high average earnings.

The Halifax survey compares local authority areas based on 26 different factors that homebuyers value when choosing a place to live, including employment, housing affordability, health, education, traffic and crime rates.

And Halifax said the latest Office for National Statistics figures indicate adults living in East Hertfordshire are among the most happy and content in the UK.

For example, it found 97 per cent of residents felt fit and well, reporting good or fairly good health.

The district saw off competition from Fareham, Hart and Horsham – all in the South East of England – which came second, third and fourth respectively, with Maldon in the East of England placing fifth. While the South East and East of England feature four times each in the top ten, the North of England also claims two spots with Selby and Hambleton.

Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said: ‘With its market towns and picturesque countryside, East Hertfordshire has topped the table thanks to high life expectancy, good schools and health and happiness scores, with high average earnings. Everyone has different priorities when it comes to choosing a place to live, depending on time of life, and personal circumstances.’

He added: ‘Affordability will always be one of the most important factors, with getting a foot on the property ladder still difficult for some people.’

The historic market town of Bishop’s Stortford, the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes, is popular with

‘High earnings and life expectancy’

young families and commuters, boasting top state schools, good rail links and a busy high street.

While the South East claims 18 spots in the top 50, just two London areas make the top 100: Richmond upon Thames, in 64th place, and Kensington and Chelsea in 79th. Wales’s highest placing area is the Vale of Glamorgan at 126.

in Scotland, Orkney hits number 18 overall while Northern ireland’s top scorer is Lisburn and Castlereagh at 131.