Northumberland town among the best places to live in Britain

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide revealed eight of the North and North East's best locations to live, while 72 places across the UK were selected in total to showcase the best of Britain's cities, towns, and villages.

Assessed factors ranged from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

The chosen locations come in all shapes and sizes, from the best bits of big lively cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cardiff and London to the tiny, rural villages of the Vale of Eden in Cumbria and the Vale of Belvoir in the Midlands.

The Courtyard is one of Morpeth's best places to eat, according to Tripadvisor (Image: Tripadvisor)

Judges looked for 'thriving locations with a strong sense of community', rather than famous names with high house prices.

Skipton in North Yorkshire was rated the best place to live in the North, while Norwich in Norfolk was named overall as the best place to live in Britain.

The annual guide is published online on Friday, March 20, with an abridged version appearing as a magazine supplement on Sunday.

One of Morpeth's hidden gems, Bide-a-Wee Cottage Garden (Image: Tripadvisor)

The 'bustling, historic' town of Morpeth was revealed as one of the best places to live in the North and North East.

Visit Northumberland said the main town in the county 'combines traditional market town charm with stylish high streets, modern shopping centres and upscale bars and a wide range of places to eat'.

"Quaint, cobbled streets, quirky farmers’ markets and classic general markets give the town an irresistible antiquity and showcase its unique heritage and beauty."

The full list of best places to live in the North and North East is:

·                Skipton, North Yorkshire 

·                Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire

·                Leeds city centre

·                Morpeth, Northumberland

·                Newcastle: Gosforth

·                Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire 

·                Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire

·                York

Morpeth, Northumberland

The Sunday Times guide said: "Morpeth’s community-spirited residents have plenty to shout about: a new £21 million leisure centre, easy access to Newcastle and Northumberland’s best beaches and some excellent schools.

"The town’s choir groups and book festival are thriving and there are also crafting groups, dance and basketball clubs, a bouldering centre and a panto society." 

Newcastle: Gosforth

"Gosforth’s tree-lined back lanes don’t feel like the city: you might hear skylarks or willow warblers on your morning dog walk, depending on the time of year.

"But turn into the one-of-everything high street and you are suddenly in prime Newcastle again, with foodie fairs held in Gosforth Central Park and a running club with a Sunday 8km that prides itself on bringing in new participants.

"You won’t be bored here. The former fire station holds yoga classes, while comedy shows, talks and plays are among the highlights at the community-owned Gosforth Civic Theatre, where the café is a welcoming spot for homeworkers."

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.

"It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.  

"Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live.

"These judges have travelled the length and breadth of the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, selecting the top towns and villages, suburbs and cities for the 2026 guide.

"One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.”