A “sparky” Wiltshire town has been named one of the best places to live in the southwest by The Sunday Times.
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025 published in March lists the 72 best locations to live in the UK with several towns and villages across the southwest highlighted.
Wiltshire’s sole representative is Malmesbury, which was praised by expert judges for its innovation, hospitality, cultural attractions, and its historic architecture and countryside views.
The listing said: “From a monk’s early attempts at flight 1,000 years ago to James Dyson’s creative and engineering campus, Malmesbury has long been a place of innovation.
“Along with Athelstan, the local notable who became England’s first king, the flying monk remains a familiar figure here, lending his name to many of the cafes, breweries, clubs, and art events that make this ancient burgh such a sparky place to call home.
“There’s a good choice of properties, good connections, and a creative, energetic community, making Malmesbury a reliable place to settle down and raise a family rather than just somewhere to gaze at the magnificent abbey and the hilltop views of timeless countryside.”
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Each year, The Sunday Times compiles its best places to live guide considering a wide range of factors, with this year’s edition sponsored by Halifax.
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, but there really is so much to celebrate as we look closer to home.
“From small gestures that lift the everyday - like verges blooming with daffodils and volunteer-run dementia cafes, to larger initiatives from repair cafes to new railway stations.”
Malmesbury has become a popular destination nationally, with the town featuring on multiple rankings of the best places to live in the UK.
The Sunday Times believes its list is definitive due to the diligence and expertise of its judges.
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“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there,” Ms Davies added.
“That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
“That could be anything from exceptional schools and fast trains to beautiful houses and countryside.
“The health of the High Street is important, but more than anything else, what we are looking for are towns, villages and cities with strong communities who work hard to make the best of where they live and play hard too.”
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