Breaking Down the UK’s Most Stylish Places to Live

When discussing the most stylish places to live, big cities like London and Manchester are usually the first that spring to mind. Yet, the pricey property costs and enclosed city living are not always the first choice of creatives. Thus, the UK is undergoing an exodus, where artists and makers are moving to more affordable, picturesque locations. 

What Defines a Stylish Town?

A recent survey from a top online furniture retailer polled the public on the most stylish place to live in the United Kingdom. It asked participants to rank locations based on three major factors: The beauty of the buildings, the scenery around the town and its popularity with creatives, including artists and filmmakers. 

Unsurprisingly, two of the top four were situated far away from London in the north of England. In the past few years, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, and the Borders region have been a magnet for young, professional creatives. Remote work has freed them from the constraints of city life, and improved infrastructure like airports and roads has made travel more efficient. 

These moves have been made increasingly easier with the introduction of companies that advertise a ‘sell my house for cash’ service. This allows buyers to circumvent the traditional estate agent route and receive a cash offer almost instantly. The benefit of this is the speed, as sales can often be turned around in as little as 7 days. This allows people to make a move on a dream home in a much quicker timeframe. 

Top of the Crop

Coming out on top was Lavenham in Suffolk. This place is steeped in history, going back to its manor hall, built in 1086. It has always had a long history of creativity, being a hub for the textile trade in the 16th century, with the Guildhall built in 1529 still standing. Poet Jane Taylor created ‘The Star’ here, and there are claims that this was the genesis for the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Its architecture has made it the perfect location for movies and shows that want a quintessentially British look. It appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and in the sixties, John Lennon filmed an experimental movie in the market square. 

Best of the Rest

Second on the list was Morpeth in Northumberland. A historic market town, it is believed to have been inhabited since the Neolithic period. As a result, the picturesque town is littered with interesting landmarks at every turn. From castles to churches and even nuclear bunkers, it is hard not to be inspired living here. 

Third came Selbourne, a village in Hampshire that benefits from being right on the border of the South Downs National Park. It is famous for naturalist Gilbert White, whose manor house is still one of the most attractive buildings in the township. Another is the grade I listed church that dates to the 12th Century and is still in use. 

What defines stylish will differ from person to person. Rather than look at lists, you really need to visit these places for an extended stay. Move around and speak to others, and you may just stumble on your dream house in a location you never even considered.