Sunday Times 2026 Best Places to Live List Features Seven Midlands Locations
The Sunday Times has unveiled its highly anticipated Best Places to Live guide for 2026, with seven areas across the Midlands region earning prestigious spots on the national list. This comprehensive annual ranking highlights locations that excel in community spirit, natural beauty, cultural offerings, and connectivity.
The Malverns Crowned Top Midlands Location
Leading the Midlands selections is The Malverns in Worcestershire, which has been specifically recognized as the best place to live in the entire Midlands region. The picturesque area, known for its stunning hills and historic spa town, impressed judges with its unique combination of rural charm and community vitality.
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor at The Sunday Times, explained the rigorous selection process: "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."
Davies emphasized that all chosen locations share one crucial characteristic: "One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home."
Complete List of Midlands Winners
The seven Midlands areas that made The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 list represent diverse locations across the region:
- The Malverns, Worcestershire - Regional winner for the Midlands
- Bournville, Birmingham - The famous model village and chocolate-making district
- Hathersage, Derbyshire - Peak District village with literary connections
- Market Harborough, Leicestershire - Historic market town with strong community
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire - Medieval market town with riverfront charm
- Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire - Shakespeare's birthplace and cultural hub
- The Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire - Picturesque rural area spanning county borders
National Context and Selection Criteria
The Midlands selections form part of a broader national list featuring 72 locations across the United Kingdom. Norwich in Norfolk claimed the overall national winner title for 2026, demonstrating the competitive nature of the rankings.
Davies highlighted the purpose of the guide: "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."
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list has become an influential annual publication that prospective homebuyers, relocation specialists, and local authorities closely monitor. The recognition often brings increased attention and potential economic benefits to the featured locations.
The inclusion of seven Midlands areas in the 2026 edition underscores the region's diverse appeal, ranging from urban communities like Bournville in Birmingham to rural gems like The Vale of Belvoir spanning Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Each location was evaluated based on multiple factors including housing affordability, schools, transport links, cultural amenities, green spaces, and overall community wellbeing.
