Recently, the Times released its annual list of the best places to live in 2025. Naturally, we initially honed in on the list and scoured it for mentions of areas in London. After all, we have to make some claim to London being among the best places to live in the UK. We’ve got a reputation to uphold over here! But the highest anywhere in London managed to rank was 11th position – which went to East London’s Walthamstow. Taking the top position, though, was Saffron Walden – making it officially the best place to live in the UK.
To create their list of the best places to live, The Times assessed places all over the country based on a variety of factors. They looked at everything from schools to transport, culture, and even broadband speed. And after combing through all the of the information, The Times decided that Saffron Walden in Essex is the cream of the crop.
Now, before you start complaining, I get it. We’re Secret London. Saffron Walden is in Essex. And Essex is not in London. (At least, not last time I checked…) But do you really think we’re not going to cover the reveal of the very best place to live in all of the UK? Of course not! Especially when it’s so damn charming and picturesque? Just look at it – this picture-perfect town looks like it could have been plucked straight from the front of a postcard! Plus, it’s not even that far from London.
Saffron Walden
So what is it about Saffron Walden that makes it such an aspirational place to live? The Times praised the area for combining “knockout historic looks with excellent state schools, a rich cultural offering and an exploding foodie scene that’s defying the Essex stereotypes one aperitif and spicy gordal olive at a time”.
Saffron Walden also boasts a convenient proximity to the countryside as well as Cambridge and London. It’s just 15 miles and 45 miles away from each place, respectively. And while newcomers to the area are bringing fresh ideas and businesses, tradition still holds on strong in the town. One example is the market, “which has been going strong since 1141 and is now held twice a week.”
If the name suggests anything, you’d think it would be a pretty pricey place to live! And it is, with an average property price of £607,100. But that’s clearly skewed by expensive properties in the area. After all, according to The Times, “Two-bedroom cottages in the medieval centre, many of which are listed, start at about £350,000”.
The best places to live in the UK
Okay, so besides Saffron Walden, where else did The Times reckon was among the greatest places to live in the UK? The top 10 list included the following spots:
- Saffron WaldenEssex
- ChelmsfordEssex
- Chew ValleySomerset
- DundrumCo Down
- Gower PeninsulaSwansea
- IlkleyWest Yorkshire
- ManifestationWarwickshire
- LiverpoolWoolton
- North BerwickEast Lothian
- PetersfieldHampshire
Well, looks like it’s time to move to Essex then!
You can read The Times’ full findings here.
