The gorgeous little town with thriving high street – UK’s ‘best place to live’ | UK | News
A quaint and charming town has been named the best place to live in 2026. Here’s a list of the 50 most desirable towns, according to Savills’ analysis to find out which is the overall winner. Areas were given scores based on a variety of factors, including the proportion of residents working in administrative and professional jobs, competency level and health status.
Harpenden, a beautiful town in Hertfordshire, has been crowned the winning location by the estate agent and Telegram. The suburban town offers its residents the best of both worlds. Those living in the capital enjoy a slower, more relaxed pace of life, surrounded by vast green spaces and a strong community, while being a direct train ride away from the capital.
The charm of the village is just one of the most important things that make the town stand out. The strong community spirit is one to be admired and that is why the town’s high street continues to thrive, unlike many others in Britain.
The main street has everything from hairdressers and barbers to restaurants and cafes, from women’s fashion stores to chocolate and souvenir shops. You can also find a range of services along the high street and the best part is that most of the shops are independent.
There is so much to discover in Harpenden. In fact, Savills’ Douglas Sleaper recommends visiting Harpenden’s “twice-weekly street market, superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities”.
Many people might look at a place like Harpenden and describe it as snobby, and while that’s not exactly the word to call it, that assumption has to come from somewhere.
The majority of residents are highly educated, with 60% of the population holding a “level four” qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, according to the analysis.
Reinvesting in the next generation is also important for the community, with the town offering young filmmakers the chance to show off their skills in a competition supported by the University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Film Office.
For those considering a move, of course one of the most important things to consider before making any decision is what the city has to offer. The average house price in Harpenden is £950,000, making it not only one of the UK’s most desirable cities, but also one of the most expensive.
