‘A close community with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere’
What’s it like to be a resident in the town named the best place to live in Wales? Ffion Lewis paid a visit to Narberth to find out
FROM the butcher that has been in the town for decades, to the modern Spanish deli – the tiny town of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, is a world away from your traditional market town.
Nestled among the greenery of west Wales and just 15 minutes from the coast, it’s no surprise that this quaint town has been voted as the best place to live in Wales.
Its bustling high street has been up for its fair share of awards.
Now, the town as a whole has been named one of the most popular in the UK.
Antique shops, vintage and craft outlets, delicatessens featuring local produce, award-winning cafes, restaurants and pubs are just some of the high-street offerings – but there’s also a museum and romantic castle ruins said to once have been home to Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed.
Based on a range of lifestyle criteria, including schools, culture, green spaces, health of the high street, and transport – a list of the UK’s finest places to live has been published.
As well as the location itself, statistics on aspects such as house prices and broadband speed were also taken into account.
Judges for The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2020 guide travelled thousands of miles around the UK visiting locations and talking to local people.
Last year’s Welsh winner, Crickhowell, did not appear on the 2020 list and there are new entries for Abergavenny, Cowbridge, Penarth and Tenby.
The warmest of welcomes and a high-class high street were cited as two of the main reasons why the judges decided to name Narberth as the Welsh winner.
While the unassuming town, made up of just a few thousand residents, might seem an unlikely winner for some, the accolade came as no surprise to those living there.
Andrew Ryan, the manager of Wisebuys delicatessen on the high street, says the success of the town is down to the people who live there.
“It’s a very close community – everyone knows each other, we’ve all been here for a very long time,” he said.
“It’s a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere, all the shops and cafes here are independent, which is rare these days. I think that probably adds to the atmosphere.”
The family-run business set up in the town in 1988 and it has been a fixture ever since.
“I think the key to our success down here is that we all really care about the community,” said Andrew.
“With everything that’s going on at the moment, too, it’s important.
“There’s just such a wide variety of people down here and we all get on and mix, it’s great.
“That’s the secret really, we all look after each other – and what a time to live in Pembrokeshire.”
In a similar vein to Andrew, the town’s butchers – Andrew Rees Butchers – have been part of the high street since the ‘80s.
Manager Dave Townsend has worked there for more than 25 years.
“It’s just a great town and community to be a part of,” he said.
“Usually, the shops and pubs are bustling – but, obviously, at the moment it’s quieter. But even then, everyone is helping each other out.
“Everyone here is a family. People who come into the shop are not just customers – they’re friends.
“As we know everyone, then everyone has their own tailor-made service, so to speak – we know what everyone wants.”
Like a lot of towns in Pembrokeshire, Narberth reaps the rewards of the British summer holiday and tourism trade.
“In the summer, you have holidaymakers here and, as when you’re on holiday you want to enjoy and have a good time, it’s always a great atmosphere here.
“There’s so many pubs and cafes – it’s just a happy place to be.”
The resident Spanish deli, Ultracomida, is a firm favourite on the high street.
Its manager, Kate Davies, moved to Narberth four months ago from neighbouring Tenby.
“I’ve only just moved here, but so far everyone is friendly and welcoming,” she said.
“I was living in Tenby but decided to move here as the houses were a bit more affordable.”
As pointed out in The Sunday Times observations, the town has everything and anything you need.
“I love it, it’s such a nice community to be a part of – it has everything you could want,” added Kate.
“With Pembrokeshire as a whole, you have your coastal paths and beaches and with somewhere like Narbeth everything is on your doorstep.”
It’s clear that community spirit is at the heart of everything in the town – whether it’s the anti-waste ethos of the Happy Planet Green Store or the community fridge at the Bloomfield House Community Centre.
The library and swimming pool are also community-run.
Narberth town councillor Vic Dennis says that without the people the town would cease to be a success story.
“It’s a town made up of so many distinctive people and parts – it’s a true market town in the sense of the word,” he said.
“It’s a community that makes a town and that’s certainly the case here – and that’s all down to the people who live and work in Narberth.
“It’s a wonderful place to live and it’s an honour and a privilege to be able to represent the town.
“It’s a town that really punches above its weight.”