Yahoo News 19 of England's 'best places to live' within an hour of Bristol
A guide to 'England's loveliest villages, towns and cities' includes 19 locations within an hour's radius of Bristol. We might be biased in thinking there's no better place to live than Bristol itself, but some house-hunters are searching for more rural surroundings or somewhere with more affordable property prices.
Many will be looking to strike a happy compromise - a place in the countryside or in a smaller town, but within easy reach of the city for work or leisure. A new guide released by upmarket lifestyle site Muddy Stilettos has mapped 'the top 260 places to live in 2024' based on 'insider knowledge', and there are plenty of West Country areas to make the cut.
Southville also made it on to the list, described as a 'vibrant and arty hub [that] has become increasingly gentrified'. As Bristol Live has reported before, not everyone local to South Bristol recognises that change as a positive one - and some people even refuse to acknowledge that Southville is a real place, describing it as a construct of estate agents' brochures and out-of-town developers.
Read more: Historic riverside pub in beautiful West Country village on the market for £12,000
Read more: Experts on future of housing market as property sales plummet
There's no denying its popularity with young professionals and families, though, with the guide recognising its offering of food and drink spots, things to do and places to shop. Property there doesn't come cheap, averaging £401,484 in the last year compared to Bristol's general average of £387,919.
Outside of the city, locations in neighbouring counties might offer more for your money - although only four places were cheaper than Bristol's average price. We've rounded up all the locations to make the list within an hour's drive of Bristol, whether you're considering a move to greener pastures or just somewhere pretty to visit for the day.
The full Muddy Stilettos guide including maps for each county can be viewed here. There are also average property prices, based on sales from the past year, plus an overview of the best restaurants, shops, attractions, schools and nurseries.
Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour
What the guide says: Fancy a slice of riverside living and a yacht-slot in a marina, just minutes away from the rolling Cotswold hills? Then Upton-upon-Severn is a strong contender for your money.
Average property price: £345,927
Gloucestershire
Tetbury
Travel time from Bristol: 43 minutes
What the guide says: Tetbury has serious royal swagger. But that’s not all. This thriving market town has pretty lanes packed with boutiques and amazing antique shops as well as a buzzing cafe culture and arts scene.
Average property price: £455,344
Wotton-under-Edge
Travel time from Bristol: 35 minutes
What the guide says: This buzzing and historic market town bear-hugged by lush hills is an under-the-radar Cotswold star. With a strong community vibe, good commuter links and a proudly indie high street it’s a great place to put down roots.
Average property price: £460,625
Cirencester
Travel time from Bristol: 58 minutes
What the guide says: With butterscotch buildings and acres of stately parkland Cirencester is sky high on the good life hit list. It might have a price tag to reflect its brilliant schools and bucolic setting – but it’s oh so tempting.
Average property price: £431,607
Nailsworth
Travel time from Bristol: 42 minutes
What the guide says: A buzzy, artistic haven full of cool boutiques, restaurants and galleries this pretty town with a great community spirit should be top of your property-search list.
Average property price: £512,812
Painswick
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour
What the guide says: Searching for a pretty-as-a-picture des res that doesn’t compromise your arty tendencies? Painswick is at the top of many people’s wishlists – whilst it may not be cheap it’s as charming as a Cotswold village comes.
Average property price: £586,879
Charlton Kings
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour
What the guide says: This leafy haven on the fringes of Regency Cheltenham with an outstanding school and a stone’s throw from the Cotswolds is highly sought after by house hunters.
Average property price: £544,630
Somerset
Widcombe, Bath
Travel time from Bristol: 45 minutes
What the guide says: Widcombe has a ‘villagey’ feel yet everything the World Heritage City of Bath has to offer is just a couple of minutes’ walk across the river Avon.
Average property price: £939,436
Chew Magna
Travel time from Bristol: 25 minutes
What the guide says: The largest village in the gorgeous Chew Valley on the edge of the Mendips, with characterful houses, fab places to eat; the peaceful Chew Valley Lake in one direction and cosmopolitan Bristol in the other.
Average property price: £814,890
Frome
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour
What the guide says: The community-minded town’s packed with arty, artisan indy businesses and cafes, and hosts the best street market in the West.
Average property price: £371,161
Wells
Travel time from Bristol: 48 minutes
What the guide says: England’s smallest city is fast becoming the South West’s go-to place for festivals with annual food, comedy, theatre and literary fests.
Average property price: £349,648
Bruton
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour (with no traffic)
What the guide says: The Notting Hill of the South West has more than its fair share of cultural highlights, great food and famous people.
Average property price: £400,442
Castle Cary
Travel time from Bristol: 1 hour (with no traffic)
What the guide says: Enjoy all that this pretty South Somerset town has to offer and Bruton’s culture/foodie scene on the doorstep (but without the price tag to live there).
Average property price: £402,285
Wiltshire
Malmesbury
Travel time from Bristol: 40 minutes
What the guide says: A charming market town with plenty of indie shops, cafes and a fabulous newly refurbished hotel.
Average property price: £499,460
Corsham
Travel time from Bristol: 42 minutes
What the guide says: Only 10 miles from oh-so popular Bath, Corsham is just as pretty but significantly more affordable. It’s a real gem of charming Georgian buildings, cobbled streets and parkland, making this historic market town the perfect spot to call home.
Average property price: £381,349
Lacock
Travel time from Bristol: 42 minutes
What the guide says: Life in Lacock is about more than the silver screen – you’ve also got fantastic indie shops, a flourishing arts scene and easy commuter links.
Average property price: £800,688
Box
Travel time from Bristol: 37 minutes
What the guide says: This vibrant village delivers stunning landscapes, a buzzy community vibe and a few celebrity neighbours. It’s also super-close to Bath for your urban fix.
Average property price: £578,340
Bradford on Avon
Travel time from Bristol: 47 minutes
What the guide says: A gorgeous historic town packed with fairytale cottages, this is your nirvana if you’re after indie shops and eateries, canal and river lifeand a speedy route into Bath.
Average property price: £472,238
Marlborough
Travel time from Bristol: 57 minutes
What the guide says: A lovely-looking Wiltshire town where a lively urban feel is a stone’s throw from proper rural country pubs. Plus it’s Princess of Wales-posh – she went to school here.
Average property price: £506,077
