Bristol snubbed from Sunday Times Best Places to Live list for first time in history

Bristol has not been named in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live list for the first time in the guide’s 12-year history.       

The city topped the list in 2017, but has missed out this time due to its “ruthless” property market and “gruelling” public transport system.    

There are more new entries than ever before in this year’s guide, with no place for any previous winners.   

Judges were said to look for “improving locations with a strong sense of community rather than famous names with high house prices”. 

Eight locations in the southwest are featured in the 2024 guide, with Sherborne in Dorset named the best place to live in the region.    

The seven other southwest locations included are Cirencester, Clevedon, Dartmouth, Exmouth, Falmouth, Isle of Purbeck and Tisbury.    

While North Berwick in East Lothian has been named the overall Best Place to Live in the UK.    

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The Sunday Times’s judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.    

“What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there,” Helen Davies, the guide’s editor, said. 

“That means we can see what people really love about the places they live. That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a  living and being part of a friendly community.    

“We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion - as long as they provide value for money. 

“Different people may be looking for different things, but what all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home.” 

In 2017, when Bristol topped the guide, it was summed up as “cool, classy and supremely creative”.      

Davies said back then: “The city is a worthy winner thanks to its ideal combination of extraordinary culture, impressive schools, buzzing culinary scene, exciting redevelopment and community spirit.”