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Best villages in England and Wales

Tuesday, 15 March 2011 11:15 AM

Chew Magna in Somerset has been named the best village in England and Wales to live in by Savills' residential research team.

The estate agency narrowed a shortlist of 50 villages down to just 12, separating the finalists into categories based on house prices, schools, value and 'great escape' potential.

To be included, the villages had to have a good primary school, be close to areas offering employment, and offer amenities including a shop and a pub. The population's health and the village's attractiveness were also considered, as were the social and economic infrastructure.

Richard Brooks, who runs Savills' Bristol residential office, was unsurprised that Chew Magna topped the list: "Everything about the village works; it has proper core to it and you really get the feeling the villagers love living there. It has everything anyone could possibly need for everyday living and Bristol and Bath are nearby."

The average 2006-2010 house price in Chew Magna, which also won in the 'best connected' category, was £403,644 – 96 per cent above the county average; East Hendred in Oxfordshire came second in the category (houses there cost £407,281, 43 per cent above the rest of the county) and Brenchley in Kent, where the average house price was £530,705 (134 per cent higher than the county average) came third.

First place in the 'best for schools' category was held by Crondall in Surrey, where the average house costs £511,861; Chipperfield in Hertfordshire came in second and the Surrey village of Chiddingfold was rated third best village in the country for schools.

Navenby in Lincolnshire was top of the 'best for value' category, with houses costing £191,894, 23 per cent above the county average; Farndon, Cheshire was second (£241,953 – 17 per cent above), and Walsham le Willows in Suffolk was third, with average house prices of £251,474, 29 per cent above the county average.

Cornwall's Mylor Bridge, which sits at the head of a creek, was rated best village for 'the great escape'. It was followed by Hovingham in North Yorkshire and Grosmond in Monmouthshire. Average property prices in the three villages were £348,195, £374,039 and £311,750 respectively.

Jonathan Cunliffe, head of Savills residential in Cornwall, put Mylor Bridge's success down to its year-round popularity. "Yes, it does appeal to holiday home owners but there is a thriving permanent community of all ages," he said.

"You only have to Google the village to appreciate the wide range of amenities and village facilities, and Truro and Falmouth are about 15 minutes' drive away."

Buying property in a village


Of course, it can be difficult obtaining a property in a sought-after village location. As Lucian Cook, director of Savills Research, explains, "The popularity of these villages is clearly reflected by the fact that properties in the villages change hands infrequently and for an identifiable premium. Although the premium varies dramatically, detached house prices were more than 50 per cent higher than the county average."

William Marsden-Smedley, a director of Prime Purchase, added: "Good villages provide a sense of community, which in today's fast-moving world is often lost elsewhere.

"Among our clients, villages are often popular with families making their first move out of London, particularly with wives, who tend to like to be part of somewhere, especially when their husbands are commuting all week.

"The best villages provide a broadscape of property types that cater for all ages and usually price tags, good local amenities and a safe neighbourhood."

Do you live in a village, or wish that you did? Leave your comments below.

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