Two Dorset spots named in The Sunday Times Best Places To Live in the South West

Bridport and Sherborne both feature on the list of nine locations in the area as chosen by The Sunday Times.

Released online on Friday, the comprehensive rundown features 70 locations and an edited version will be available in the paper on Sunday.

A team of the Sunday Times' experts judges produce the list based on a range of factors from schools and broadband, transport and green spaces as well as culture and the health of the high street.  

Bridport. Credit: Google Maps

The guide aims to celebrate towns, villages and city centres that have seen improvements as well as "locations bursting with community spirit– which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all".  

Halifax, who sponsors the guide, has also pulled together the average house prices for each location.

Meanwhile, the UK's leading independent guide to broadband, Thinkbroadband.com, has gathered the most up-to-date information on broadband speeds in the stunning areas.

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Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor, said: “The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list is necessarily subjective. Leave it just to statistics and you will never capture the spirit of a place. For that, you need to visit to take into account that ‘you have to be here’ feeling. Is the pub dog-friendly, for example? Can you live car-free? What are the schools and houses like? Is it multicultural and multigenerational, and can it offer a good way of life to lots of different sorts of people? 

Ms Davies added: “Ten years ago, when we launched the inaugural list, London’s gravitational pull was strong, the WFH revolution had not yet reached our doorstep and high streets were stacked with chains. How times have changed — and how welcome that change is.  

“This year we have discovered new best places to live, from resurgent city centres in the North, rejuvenated suburbs across the country, hidden villages in the Southwest, and a commutable Scottish island. 

“We hope there is something to suit everyone.” 

Two Dorset locations named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live for 2022

Sherborne. Credit: Google Maps

The experts from the Sunday Times named Bridport and Sherborne among the best places to live in the South West this year.

Looking first at Bridport, the guide noted the charming market town's" festivals, independent shops, beautiful landscapes and the rugged Jurassic Coast" which is all "just a walk away".

The experts went on to praise Bridport as a "dream combination of coast, culture and countryside".

Halifax noted that the average house price for the area is £400,000 and its growth since 2020 is 27%.

Turning to Sherborne, the bustling market town on the River Yeo is new to the Sunday Times list for 2022.

Speaking about the town, the guide says: "You’ll never be short of friends in this ancient, beautiful market town. It has more than 200 community groups, an interesting and improving high street and its abbey is as beautiful a parish church as you’ll find."

Halifax records the average house price as slightly lower in comparison to Bridport at £369,000 and Sherborne's growth since 2020 is 8%.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live in the Southwest 2022

While Chalke Valley in Wiltshire is the regional winner and, therefore, features at the top of the list, the other destinations are listed in alphabetical order and are not ranked.

• Winner: Chalke Valley, Wiltshire 
• Bridport, Dorset 
• Bristol  
• Budleigh Salterton, Devon  
• Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire 
• Ashburton, Dartmoor 
• Sherborne, Dorset 
• Stroud, Gloucestershire 
• Wellow, Somerset