Best Places to Live in the UK 2026: Top Areas to Buy

West Bridgford, Nottingham

West Bridgford is a suburb just two miles outside of Nottingham that boasts a mix of suburban tranquillity with easy access to the city centre. West Bridgford is home to several schools, which almost all score ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ in OFSTED ratings, making it ideal for families. As for architecture, West Bridgford is home to many desirable Edwardian houses with attached gardens. Sports fans will be in heaven in West Bridgford – the town is home to Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as well as Notts County and Nottingham Forest football grounds. The bustling Central Avenue hosts a range of independent shops, upscale restaurants and gastropubs, satisfying foodies and shoppers alike. You can buy a terraced house in West Bridgford for an average price of £274,615, splash out on a detached home for roughly £552,319 or keep it cosy with flats and maisonettes for around £176,759.

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Nestled in the county of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham regularly tops ‘best places to live’ lists for good reason. This historic spa town is home to some stunning Regency-style architecture, hosts several cultural events and festivals, and is right on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Cotswolds. Its convenient location means that you can be in Birmingham in 1 hour or London in two hours, making it ideal for commuters. You might be forgiven for thinking that Cheltenham is an old-timey town that doesn’t move with the times, but this is not so – Cheltenham is home to GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre and has more than eleven times more cyber-based businesses than the national average. The town also boasts an array of boutique shops, high-end eateries and more. House prices in Cheltenham range from £326,899 for a terraced house, £604,261 for a detached house, to £206,0819 for a flat or maisonette.

Leamington Spa, West Midlands

Another historic spa town, Leamington Spa, on the outskirts of Coventry, benefits from a mix of stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, plenty of green spaces and, perhaps surprisingly, a booming video game industry, leading to the nickname ‘Silicon Spa’. Leamington has a lively culture for eating, drinking and socialising, including local events and festivals. Families also have several ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools to choose from, as well as the nearby grammar schools in Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. Leamington is also close to Warwick University and Coventry University, with many students calling Leamington home. Nature fans will enjoy Leamington’s many parks and gardens, including the Jephson Gardens, Mill Gardens, the Royal Pump Room gardens, and nearby nature reserves, Welches Meadow and Leam Valley. Leamington’s central location makes it ideal for commuters to nearby cities – the town is served by the M40 and A46 and direct rail services to London, Birmingham and Coventry. A terraced house in Leamington Spa is about £347,641, a detached home will cost around £624,233, and a flat or maisonette is about £216,325.

Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire

Nestled in the hills of the West Calder Valley, Hebden Bridge is a wonderfully picturesque town with a population of 4,500. Hebden Bridge is well-known as a progressive and inclusive town, and is a haven for the LGBTQ community, hosting the Happy Valley Pride festival every year. This small town is bursting with art and culture, from the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival to several art galleries and venues. Independent shops, restaurants and cafes line Market Street, and the buildings made from local Yorkshire stone and slate follow a charming Victorian industrial vernacular style thanks to Hebden’s industrial past as a textile-producing town. Ramblers, hikers and outdoor lovers will find much to explore in the Calder Valley – the nearby Hardcastle Crags, Stoodley Pike and more offer unspoilt woodland and breathtaking views. A detached house in Hebden Bridge will set you back £542,500, terraced houses are around £242,454, and a flat or maisonette is about £187,778.

Altrincham, Greater Manchester

This market town in Trafford, Greater Manchester, has often been named as one of the best places to live in the North West thanks to its top-rated schools, good transport links and safe, leafy suburbs. Plentiful restaurants, bars and cafes give Altrincham a reputation as a foodies paradise. This former ‘ghost town’ has undergone many revitalisation projects in recent years, including the revamp of Altrincham market, a vibrant community hub. Families can enjoy a variety of housing options from Victorian terraces and Edwardian semi-detached houses to luxury new builds, some of the most highly ranked schools in the country, low crime rates and family-friendly community initiatives. Terraced houses in Altrincham cost around £481,146, detached houses are priced at about £759,094, and flats and maisonettes have an average price of £262,739.

Maidenhead, Berkshire

The historic market town of Maidenhead is favoured by commuters to London and the surrounding areas, as well as its proximity to the Berkshire countryside. Located on the southeastern bank of the River Thames, many residents and visitors enjoy boating on skippered cruises and self-driving electric boats, or simply relaxing on the islands of Boulter’s Lock and Ray Mill Island. Commuters can reach London in 40 minutes and Heathrow Airport in 20 minutes, with access to the M4 and A404 for additional commuting options. The nearby village of Bray is a gourmet’s heaven, with three Michelin-starred restaurants, The Waterside Inn and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck. Maidenhead also boasts outstanding local schools and easy access to prestigious grammar schools in nearby Marlow, Windsor and Reading. A detached house in Maidenhead will cost around £832,897, terraced houses run to about £457,668, and flats and maisonettes cost roughly £284,881.

The Isle of Anglesey, Wales

Named the ‘happiest place in Wales’ in a 2025 RightMove survey, Anglesey is the largest island off the coast of Wales and offers a blend of natural beauty with accessibility and diverse property options. Formerly known as the breadbasket of Wales, thanks to the fertile soil, Anglesey now enjoys tourism as its largest economic sector, welcoming visitors and permanent residents alike who are looking for a more relaxed environment away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. For an island, Anglesey is surprisingly accessible, offering transport links by road, rail, air and ferry, including a direct rail line to major cities, including London. The island is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and boasts stunning scenery and landmarks such as Beaumaris Castle and ancient druid sites. You can snap up a detached property in Anglesey for an average price of £342,177, flats and maisonettes go for about £139,000, and terraced houses are on offer for £157,350.

Whether you are planning on relocating yourself or considering property investment in 2026, this guide can give you some inspiration on where to invest or give you some insights into different locations in the UK.

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