Two Devon waterfront towns have been named among the best places to live in the South West in a prestigious annual guide. Exmouth and Dartmouth made the cut in the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list for 2024 - however, both missed out on the top spot.
The full guide published today, Friday, March 15, includes 72 locations across the UK, with seven from the South West. Sherborne in Dorset was named the overall best place to live in the region - with North Berwick, East Lothian, crowned the Best Place to Live in the UK.
Judges assessed factors ranging from schools to transport and broadband speeds to culture. They also looked at access to green spaces and the health of the high street.
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Dartmouth was hailed as an "atmospheric nautical town" that is "no one-season holiday wonder", with praise for having "sparkling views of the water at every turn". Sunday Times judges highlighted the town's food and music festivals, allotments and sports clubs, adding: "The Flavel Arts Centre, run by volunteers, is a highlight. This busy community hub shows films, plays and concerts and offers a supportive home for choirs and youth groups."
And they described Exmouth as "no longer a last resort for OAPs", saying the town is "filling up with a younger crowd" attracted by train links to Exeter, a naturally sandy beach and "homes to suit every rung of the property ladder". Judges added: "Key to the town’s improvement is Sideshore, a sustainable watersports complex on the prom that opened during the pandemic and is an object lesson in how to revitalise seaside resorts with style."
'Proud to call them home'
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: "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. That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
"That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community.
“We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion- as long as they provide value for money. Different people may be looking for different things, but what all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home."
The other South West locations highlighted in the guide - in no particular order - are Cirencester in Gloucestershire, Clevedon, Somerset; Falmouth, Cornwall; Isle of Purbeck, Dorset and Tisbury, Wiltshire.
Read the full list HERE.
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