Daily Times

A market town in East Sussex has beaten 71 other locations to be named the UK’s best place to live. Judges for the Sunday Times said Wadhurst offers ‘pretty much everything needed for modern life in miniature’. It was praised for its good schools, convenient transport links, variety of high street shops and being surrounded by ‘stunning scenery’. The Wadhurst Warriors, a group of fathers who began fundraising for the town’s primary school in 2004 and now raise money for the whole area, were hailed as the ‘stars of the show’. Judges also praised the town of fewer than 5,000 people – the smallest winner of the award in its 11-year history – for the many activities available for children, the farmers’ market, clubs, classes and the community cinema.

Wadhurst Warriors chairman Chris Poulton said the group organises events such as fetes, fireworks nights and putting up Christmas decorations – and the money raised is used to help those who need it, such as the Girl Guides and local school.

He said: ‘We do believe Wadhurst is the best place to live and that is down to us all working together to make it a place where everyone can be supported. ‘We don’t do it for ourselves, we do it for the community. ‘Being recognised is great but the more we can give back to the community the better. ‘Recognition can just be someone coming up to us and saying thank you.’ A parish council spokesman said: ‘This is really exciting news. Wadhurst is a lovely, lovely place to live with a great community feel. ‘What makes it really special is the community, we have lots of different village clubs and a really active community. ‘We are all helping each other out and during Covid that really came to the forefront, with lots of groups helping to get food and medicine to people. ‘I would say to someone thinking of moving here that it’s a great place to live, you have the best of both worlds. ‘You have easy access to towns and cities but if you want a rural lifestyle it is perfect.’ Paula Lee, 58, who owns the @ONE homeware shop on the high street, said: ‘I would agree completely – it is a lovely place to live and it has got a good sense of community. ‘I am not surprised. I think you would be hard-pushed, certainly in the South East, to find somewhere better. ‘There are some really lovely shops, it is a well-rounded high street – there is a nice independent butcher, grocers and a nice community spirit. ‘The countryside in this area is just outstanding. There are lots of walking and lots of sporting activities in an area of outstanding natural beauty.’

Sam, 50, who runs Wadhurst Flowers, said: ‘It is a lovely place to live. It still maintains a village feel, even though we are only five miles from Tunbridge Wells.

‘The residents use their high street, which is fantastic. ‘It is a beautiful area of outstanding natural beauty and there are trains into London and to the coast. We are very lucky.’ Ruthin in Denbighshire was identified as the best place to live in Wales, Dunkeld in Perthshire was named as the best place to live in Scotland and Donaghadee in Co Down was placed top in Northern Ireland. A winner was also selected for each region in England. The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide was released today and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday. This year’s list includes more new entries than ever before. They include Poundbury, a village on the edge of Dorchester in Dorset which was planned by King Charles and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. At the time critics branded it a ‘toy town’ but judges said its affordable homes, renewable energy and emphasis on walkability suggest it was ahead of its time. Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield have all made a return – suggesting people may no longer be dashing to the country as cities return to life following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.