Uppingham is 'number one' in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live
A Rutland town has been named the best place to live in the Midlands.
Uppingham has made The Sunday Times newspaper's annual list of the prime spots to reside across the country.
The quaint market town climbed to the top of list of eight locations in the region with judges declaring it as the best place to live in the Midlands.
The comprehensive guide has been released online by The Sunday Times today (April 8) - www.thetimes.co.uk/best-places-to-live - and will be available in the paper on Sunday.
The Sunday Times’ judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.
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?"
They look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit - which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.
Judges described Uppingham as having 'a feast for the eyes at every turn'.
They added: "Beauty runs more than skin deep in this sophisticated little market town, where the houses are attractive and the high street has everything you need.
"The biggest star, though, is the Goldmark art gallery, one of the best outside a capital city, whose exhibitions regularly feature works by artists you’d normally have to take a city break to see."
The annual Uppingham Fatstock show also got a special mention, along with the Stilton Cheese Run.
Judges were impressed with the town's high street, describing it as 'nicely traditional with a dash of sophistication', with its host of independent businesses.
It was noted that 'a few more eating-out options would be welcome', but that there are good Chinese and Indian choices in Choi’s and Red India, Don Paddy’s brasserie is the spot for burgers and brunches, while The Lake Isle hotel is the place for fancier fare, including a hearty Sunday lunch.
It is not the first time the town has made this prestigious short list - in 2020 it topped the list.
The area is also no stranger to making the list with Stamford being named best place to live in the Midlands last year as well as appearinh in 2018 and 2019, coming second in 2017 and being the overall winner in 2013.
