THE WALES LIST
Winner: Ruthin, Denbighshire: This beautiful, historic corner of the Vale of Clwyd provides the very best of small-town living. It may look sleepy from the outside, but scratch the surface and it’s a hive of activity. The market hall is the place for food and craft markets and pop-up restaurants, a disused bank has been converted into a repair café and the old courthouse is now a visitor hub and co-working space. There are all kinds of interesting independent businesses, producing everything from ice cream to roads.
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire:
From the scenery to the high street and a busy community eager to get involved in everything from choirs to litter-picks, there’s something to admire everywhere you turn. This is a proper market town, which along with the food festival and the many excellent restaurants makes this a particularly good spot for anyone keen on eating well.
Barmouth, Gwynedd: This beautiful resort, with its famous viaduct and stunning mountain backdrop, is rapidly turning from a kiss-me-quick holiday getaway to a sophisticated coastal retreat. It’s now a great place to enjoy the scenery all year round, helped by an influx of interesting shops and restaurants, such as the beachfront Celtic Cabin, which serves the best street food in the country.
Pontcanna, Cardiff: Small, friendly and unpretentious, Cardiff is the UK’s most likeable capital city. Leafy Pontcanna is The Sunday Times’ favourite neighbourhood, thanks to its combination of beautiful parks, elegant Victorian terraces and some exceptional independent shops, cafes and restaurants as well as easy access to the city centre.
Gower Peninsula, Swansea: This 70sq miles of prime scenic seaside is worth its place for beauty alone, but it has even more to offer than its beaches, cliffs and moorlands. It’s a busy hive of community projects – village shops, organic farms and much more. From the smart Swansea suburbs of Caswell Bay and Langland to village life at its best in Llanmadoc or Llangennith there’s something for everyone – especially families who can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle while keeping Swansea on the doorstep.
Narberth, Pembrokeshire: An exciting new food hall and a new café that offers mental-health support are just the latest additions to a town centre that punches far above its weight. Easy access to Pembrokeshire’s spectacular beaches, a swimming-pool, lively community centre and a strong cultural offering add to the appeal.
Solva, Pembrokeshire: The location is beautiful, but it’s the community spirit that earns this village its spot. From Bayview Stores, the brilliant village shop that became a lifeline during lockdown, to the annual fireworks display or the Solva Edge festival, there’s a rare determination among the population to take care of one another and keep Solva buzzing all year round.