Western Morning News (Saturday)
Best places to live in the West...
THE estuary town of Kingsbridge in South Devon, smart Topsham, near Exeter and Chagford on Dartmoor, along with the dramatic Lizard Peninsula and riverside Wadebridge are judged the top places to live in Devon and Cornwall in a new survey from the Sunday Times.
But the locations are pipped by Stroud, Gloucestershire – judged to be the best place in Britain to make a home – and Frome in Somerset, seen as the top stop to live in the South West
The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assessed a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
They looked for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit – which the pandemic has shown to be a vital quality.
A detailed breakdown of house prices has been supplied by data specialists TwentyCi and information on internet speeds has been supplied by Thinkbroadband.com, the UK’s leading independent guide to broadband.
The judges’ descriptions will delight many residents already lucky enough to have a home in the favoured locations – although they could send property prices soaring.
They said of Kingsbridge it was their “favourite spot in the lovely South Hams.” with homes selling for an average of £262,000 and rentals averaging 750 a month. “The downto-earth neighbour of high-falutin’ Dartmouth and Salcombe is just as well placed to enjoy the beautiful coast and countryside, but unlike them it has a year-round sense of community as well as a gem of an independent cinema,” they said. The judges also praised “an appealingly practical town centre and strong community spirit”.
Cornwall’s sometimes wild Lizard peninsula was described as “England’s greatest escape”. They said it boasted all that is best about Cornwall, with surfing at Poldhu Cove, sailing at Helford and the spectacle of Kynance Cove, with its turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. Homes sell for an average of £360,000 and rentals at £765 a month.
Topsham found favour as: “An old favourite on the Exe Estuary” with a “fun independent, community and beautiful houses conveniently close to Exeter.” They praised the efforts of local volunteer groups. Houses sell for an average of £485,000 and rents at £925 a month.
As for Wadebridge they said residents really do have it all. “You’re on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty, Cornwall’s top surfing beaches are nearby as are the county’s wild moorlands.” They were also impressed with the range of shops in the understated centre including Baker Tom’s for Saffron Buns and the family-owned Wadebridge Wines, and the glorious Regal Cinema. Average sale price comes in at £350,000, rentals at £800 a month.