The best places to live in the Midlands...

RUTLAND IS UP AMONG THE TOP EIGHT, SAY TIMES’ JUDGES

RUTLAND has been named among the best places to live in the Midlands.

The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live 2021 put the entire county in its top eight in the Midlands.

Even though it failed to maintain its Big Mac-free status when a drive-in branch of McDonald’s opened on the Oakham bypass in November, the judges praised England’s smallest county for its independent spirit, as well as for attractiveness of its rolling green fields and pretty villages and the twin market towns of Oakham and Uppingham.

Judges said: “They remain the friendly, defiantly independent hubs they’ve always been – happy reminders of the days when ‘small town’ wasn’t an insult and the butcher and baker knew your name and exactly what you would like.”

They liked the bread on offer from Baines Bakery, in Uppingham, and Hambleton Bakery, which bakes its loaves in wood-fired ovens using flour ground at a local windmill.

They said: “Rutland offers down-toearth country living at its best. Rutland Water has been a rewarding venue for lockdown exercise and the local produce is second to none.”

The overall winner for the Midlands was Stamford, in Lincolnshire, which had the judges drooling with its “architectural eye candy”.

They said: “With more than 600 listed buildings, life in Stamford feels like one long period drama, but it’s not just a pretty place, it’s friendly, too.

“Wherever you turn there’s something to admire: five medieval churches, Tudor pubs, the grade IIlisted railway station, gargoyles, carvings and elaborate door knockers, all of which add historic interest to any outing.”

Others making up the list were, in alphabetical order, Bournville and Stirchley in Birmingham; Church Stretton, Shropshire; Earlsdon, Warwickshire; Edale, Derbyshire; Ilmington, Warwickshire and Stratford-uponAvon, Warwickshire.

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times’ property editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings.

“With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.

“Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience.

“It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need, small enough for everyone to feel connected.”