The ‘finest stored secret in Essex’ and the opposite prime 28 villages in Britain to boost a household: Use our interactive information to find property consultants’ picks for security, faculties and group spirit

Selecting the place to purchase a house and calm down as a household will be considered one of life’s most essential choices.

The implications in your funds and household’s happiness are enormous.

From low crime charges to good faculties and native facilities, there are such a lot of containers to tick that it may be arduous to know the place to start out.

So, to assist sift by means of the choices, we have consulted property consultants and reviewed numerous surveys and statistics to deliver you a collection of the perfect locations within the UK to settle as a household.

We spherical up their findings in a helpful interactive map beneath. 

Larkhall, Bathtub

This Georgian spa city enjoys famously low crime charges and in addition has state and personal faculties which rank effectively above common. Positioned within the north east of Bathtub, Larkhall is a favorite for households due to its proximity to town centre, lush inexperienced areas and broad alternative of character-rich impartial retailers, cute cafes, and cosy pubs.

Colleges: The world is dwelling to various thriving state-run main and secondary faculties, in addition to King Edward’s College, which has been recognised as the highest performing impartial faculty within the South West by The Sunday Instances.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £554,309

In the marketplace: This good-looking three-bed, three-storey Georgian Grade II-listed home is tucked away within the coronary heart of Larkhall only a quick stroll from retailers, main and secondary faculties. It additionally has a pretty south-westerly backyard (£680,000, whiteleyhelyar.co.uk)

Heswall, Merseyside

Positioned on the west aspect of Merseyside’s Wirral Peninsula, Heswall affords a mix of semi-rural environment with all the fashionable facilities wanted for a rising household, says property agent Liam Gretton. The city bustles with bars and eating places, shops and low retailers, creating an exquisite ambiance that is typical of a close-knit group.

Colleges: Heswall Major is a thriving faculty near the centre of the city and bordering on the gorgeous Barnston fields. Close by Pensby Excessive College claims to be the perfect performing non-selective faculty within the Wirral.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two is £269 per week and £287 for under-twos.

Common home value: £219,081

In the marketplace: This three-bed semi-detached home in Heswall is £275,000 and has off-road parking and a big rear backyard (hewittadams.com)

Cofton Hackett, Worcestershire

Sitting slap bang on the dividing line between Birmingham and Worcestershire, Cofton Hackett is flooded with open inexperienced house, and is only a few minutes’ drive from the Lickey Hills Nation Park and in addition has easy accessibility to bigger cities corresponding to Birmingham and Worcester.

Colleges: 9 out of ten of Worcestershire’s state faculties are rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. It is usually dwelling to extremely rated impartial faculties together with Malvern Faculty.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £261.44 per week and £269 for under-twos.

Common home value: £410,930

In the marketplace: This five-bed conventional indifferent household dwelling has three reception rooms, a surprising southerly facet rear backyard with views throughout to the Lickey Hills (£660,000, oulsnam.internet)

Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales

The River Teifi runs by means of the centre of this thriving market city, which has an abundance of full of life eating places, bakeries and cafes, and is in shut proximity to a few of Wales’ finest seashores, together with Mwnt and Penbryn, each of that are managed and guarded by the Nationwide Belief and ideal for households. 

There’s tradition aplenty, together with Mwldan, an impartial arts centre and cinema screening Hollywood movies and dwell touring reveals.

Colleges: The city has a number of highly-rated main faculties, in addition to Preseli College, a Welsh language secondary faculty which has a superb status and commonly tops the tables of the perfect faculties in Wales.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £249.28 per week and £268.22 for under-twos.

Common home value: £248,451

In the marketplace: This conventional and characterful three-bedroom home is located inside strolling distance of Cardigan City and includes a courtyard backyard with raised decking (£199,950, jjmorris.com)

Sandbach, Cheshire

This gorgeous Cheshire market city has quaint retailers and half-timbered Tudor pubs in addition to a cluster of excellent faculties. The cobbled city centre affords a number of purchasing alternatives and there’s a thriving weekly market. The variety of households dwelling in Sandbach is greater than the nationwide common prompted by the number of good training on provide within the city’s faculties.

Colleges: Close by Holmes Chapel Major College is rated ‘good’ by Ofsted, whereas Sandbach Excessive College and Sixth Kind Faculty has Academy standing.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £278,631

In the marketplace: This three-bed indifferent home has a sweeping drive with ample parking in addition to a personal and spacious backyard to the rear (£425,000, bridgfords.co.uk)

Manningtree, Essex

A very outstanding location for households, Manningtree is ‘the best-kept secret on the Essex/Suffolk border’, in keeping with Michael Burt, head of gross sales at Metropolis & Nation. 

‘Not solely is it the gateway to Constable nation, with shut entry to water meadows, mills and inexperienced house, however you should purchase a new-build dwelling for noticeably lower than its Suffolk counterpart,’ he provides. There is a small family-friendly seaside which frequently hosts a variety of actions so lots for kids to take pleasure in.

Colleges: Close by Highfields Major College is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted, as is Dedham Church of England faculty.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £307.81 per week and £333.33 for under-twos.

Common home value: £466,341

In the marketplace: This four-bedroom indifferent household dwelling comes with a double storage and parking, open-plan kitchen and eating space, and separate lounge with bi-folding doorways resulting in the again backyard (£650,000, hopkinshomes.co.uk)

Lengthy Marston, Warwickshire

Simply south west of Stratford-upon-Avon, Lengthy Marston village exudes tranquility due to its lovely pure landscapes and plush greenery. Crime charges in Lengthy Marston are notably low, making it an ideal location for kids and oldsters to thrive in a secure and calm setting.

Colleges: Close by Ilmington CofE Major College is rated ‘good’ in all areas by Ofsted, whereas Stratford Ladies’ Grammar College is judged ‘excellent’.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £261.44 per week and £269 for under-twos.

In the marketplace: This model new high-spec indifferent five-bed dwelling simply outdoors Lengthy Marston has three bogs, a double storage and enormous parking (£800,000, hrestateagents.co)

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Recognized for its lovely historic buildings, lush gardens, and pure springs, Harrogate can also be very household pleasant due to good faculties and the very fact it was named the most secure place within the UK to boost kids, in keeping with analysis evaluating 200 main UK cities and cities.

Colleges: Western Major College within the city is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted, as is Harrogate Grammar College.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £261.02 per week and £267.81 for under-twos.

Common home value: £404,553

In the marketplace: This contemporary four-bedroom semi-detached household dwelling on Ribblehead Street has a pretty backyard with garden and patio (£340,000, verityfrearson.co.uk)

Abergavenny, Wales

Topped the perfect place to dwell in Wales by The Sunday Instances, judges declared that few areas within the UK are as pleasant, sensible and picturesque as this market city on the sting of the Bannau Brycheiniog Nationwide Park. They added ‘group spirit is off the charts and there is a robust and various sporting scene’.

Colleges: King Henry VIII secondary faculty in Abergavenny was rated ‘inexperienced’ (the best ranking) by Estyn, the Welsh-equivalent of Ofsted, as was Llanfoist Fawr Major within the city.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £258.32 per week and £261.33 for under-twos.

Common home value: £318,457

In the marketplace: This indifferent four-bedroom interval cottage is about simply outdoors Abergavenny in a peaceable place within the rolling Monmouthshire countryside and has a bigger backyard (£499,950, christieresidential.co.uk)

Waltham Forest, London 

This London borough was named the perfect place to boost a household after alarm methods firm ADT collected knowledge to make a ‘household security rating’. The world was praised for its faculties, inexperienced areas and low crime charges.

Colleges: Walthamstow College for Ladies is state-run and rated ‘excellent’, as is South Grove Major College.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £430.75 per week and £428.26 for under-twos.

Common home value: £555,786

In the marketplace: This semi indifferent four-bed dwelling organized over two ranges has three reception rooms and is about on considered one of Walthamstow’s most wanted areas (£1,150,000, amandaroberts.co.uk)

West Finish, Dundee

Scotland’s sunniest metropolis is a best choice for folks trying to increase a household due to its engaging and inexpensive housing, parks and inexperienced areas and a robust sense of group. West Finish is the extra prosperous space of Dundee and has a variety of high-quality main and secondary faculties, together with each private and non-private choices.

Colleges: Harris Academy is the state choice, whereas the Excessive College of Dundee (junior charges from £11,310 a 12 months) is a ten-minute stroll from the West Finish and was ranked Seventeenth-best impartial faculty in Scotland.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £260.72 per week and £272.40 for under-twos.

Common home value: £168,767

In the marketplace: This six-bed Arts and Crafts dwelling on Craigiebarn Street is organized over three ranges and has one acre of land (£619,000, verdala.co.uk)

St Albans, Hertfordshire

The world affords a mix of nice faculties, says Helen Rhodes, associate at Shopping for company Heaton & Companions, so excellent for fogeys who need to give their kids the perfect begin. 

She provides: ‘London St Pancras is only a 20 minute prepare journey away and there is an abundance of countryside on the doorstep’. St Albans, she says, is basically an extension of prime north London with various the identical eating places and low retailers on the Excessive Avenue – the likes of Gail`s, Knoops and lately opened Black Sheep Espresso.

Colleges: St Albans College and St Albans Excessive College for Ladies are each high-achieving personal faculties. Loretto Faculty is a state secondary rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over £283.33 per week and £326.07 for under-twos

Common home value: £622,405

In the marketplace: Located inside the well-liked village of Park Avenue, this finish of terrace household house is in want of refurbishment however has three bedrooms, in addition to a considerable personal rear backyard with brick-built storage shed, double size storage and driveway parking to the rear (£550,000, frosts.co.uk)

Finchampstead, Berkshire

This peaceable village in Berkshire was beforehand voted as among the best locations to dwell in Britain – not least due to its personal nation park and a Nationwide Belief woodland. 

‘Its additionally ideally positioned for commuters and households, with fast entry to Studying, Wokingham, and common direct trains to London Paddington,’ says Alex Dowling, head of gross sales and advertising at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties.

Colleges: The village is surrounded by nice state faculties (together with The Holt and Evendons Major) and impartial faculties (together with Reddam Home and Waverley Prep)

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £307.81 per week and £333.33 for under-twos.

Common home value: £658,650

In the marketplace: This neatly offered 4 bed room indifferent household dwelling is about in a preferred Carolina Place which is near native faculties, retailers and woodland walks. It has 4 bedrooms, a double storage and a rear backyard (£715,000, michael-hardy.co.uk)

Plymouth, Devon

The town is famend for its maritime heritage and affords a picturesque waterfront, ample parks, and proximity to Dartmoor Nationwide Park and the Devon and Cornwall coastlines, offering ample out of doors actions for households. 

Plymouth’s relaxed ambiance and comparatively inexpensive home costs make it simply what many households are searching for.

Colleges: Personal Plymouth Faculty is revered for its extracurricular providing and famed for its swimming coaching. Devonport Excessive College for Ladies and Devonport Excessive College for Boys are each highly-rated grammar faculties within the metropolis.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £243,885

In the marketplace: This spacious three-bedroom semi-detached home is nestled within the nook of a quiet cul-de-sac and has a paved and lawned rear backyard (£260,000, mayerestateagents.co.uk)

York, Yorkshire

This historic metropolis scores effectively in a number of surveys about finest locations to boost a household. There’s a nice vary of prime flight training from main faculties to college. 

It’s a compact metropolis that is sufficiently small to be walkable and have a superb sense of group, however giant sufficient to have lots occurring. You will not be wanting one thing to do, with or with out kids. You can too be within the open countryside in minutes.

Colleges: 5 faculties within the metropolis have been lately ranked within the prime ten state and impartial faculties within the north for educational efficiency by The Sunday Instances, so there’s an enormous quantity of alternative.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £249.28 per week and £268.22 for under-twos.

Common home value: £353,928

In the marketplace: This deceptively spacious four-bed household dwelling is about in a extremely fascinating a part of York with a indifferent double storage and aspect and entrance backyard (£475,000, rmenglish.co.uk)

Timperley, Cheshire

Located to the east of Altrincham, Timperley affords residents the perfect of each worlds. This family-friendly space advantages from a variety of well-regarded faculties, together with main and secondary choices, making it significantly attractive for rising households. 

Greenspaces like John Leigh Park present ample alternatives for out of doors actions, whereas the thriving area people centre hosts numerous occasions and lessons all year long.

Colleges: Picton Academy within the village is rated ‘excellent’, as is close by St Hugh’s Catholic Major College.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos

Common home value: £395,054

In the marketplace: This charming property is about behind a gated entrance and affords over 1500 sq ft of lodging, together with 4 bedrooms, three reception rooms and two bogs (£600,000, bridgfords.co.uk)

Milngavie, Glasgow

This East Dunbartonshire city is a suburb of Glasgow and has a fantastic open countryside on the doorstep, wonderful native faculties, a wealthy and various social and cultural scene and really energetic golf equipment and associations. There are over 90 group teams in Milngavie.

Colleges: Milngavie Major College is a well-established faculty relationship again almost 150 years and was named within the prime 30 of The Sunday Instances Major College League Desk 2023, together with close by Craigdhu.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £260.72 per week and £272.40 for under-twos.

Common home value: £376,460

In the marketplace: Located inside the wanted Mains Property growth, this five-bed indifferent household dwelling has a personal driveway and landscaped gardens to each entrance and rear (£525,000, corumproperty.co.uk)

Ripon, Yorkshire

Nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, this tiny cathedral metropolis persistently ranks as one of many UK’s prime ten most secure cities. North Yorkshire County Council’s training authority ranks extremely within the UK for GCSE and A-level outcomes.

Colleges: The town has a wealth of extremely regarded main and secondary faculties, together with Ripon Grammar College and Outwood Academy Ripon, which is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £249.28 per week and £268.22 for under-twos.

Common home value: £333,130

In the marketplace: This three bed room semi-detached household dwelling overlooks Williamson Gardens to the entrance, whereas a conservatory overlooks the rear backyard. The property is near beautiful woodland and riverside walks and town centre (£335,000, davislund.co.uk)

Cambridge

Well-known for its prestigious college, town additionally boasts wonderful faculties and a excessive way of life. The attractive inexperienced areas and sense of educational pursuit creates a robust sense of group.

Colleges: The town has a wealth of high-performing state and impartial main and secondary faculties, together with Chesterton Group Faculty (academy) and Cambridge Worldwide College (personal).

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £283.33 per week and £326.07 for under-twos.

Common home value: £606,823

In the marketplace: This two-bedroom, semi-detached dwelling constructed within the Fifties and additional prolonged within the Eighties, is located inside Fen Ditton village, a preferred space of Cambridge near native facilities and transport hyperlinks into town (£425,000, hockeys.co.uk)

Helensburgh, Highlands

Thought to be the gateway to the Highlands, Helensburgh has been well-liked for effectively over a century since rich Glasgow retailers first started to construct homes right here. The coastal city was final 12 months named within the ‘finest 25 locations to boost a household’ by the Every day Telegraph. The city is effectively linked, with common trains to Glasgow, in addition to being a cease on the Caledonian Sleeper route.

Colleges: There’s a collection of native main faculties, an area secondary and the personal Lomond College.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £260.72 per week and £272.40 for under-twos.

Common home value: £257,659

In the marketplace: This indifferent three-bedroom home is located in a quiet cul-de-sac within the well-liked Glade Property. The home is about amidst superb gardens and, from its barely elevated place, enjoys sweeping views in direction of the Firth of Clyde (£260,000, clydeproperty.co.uk)

St Davids, Pembrokeshire

Well-known for being the smallest metropolis in Wales, St Davids affords the last word in coastal household dwelling. The cathedral metropolis, positioned in Britain’s solely Coastal Nationwide Park, is only a mile away from sweeping Whitesands Bay, whereas the centre is dwelling to various thriving eating places, pubs and an award-winning ice cream parlour.

Colleges: The town has each a main and secondary faculty (as much as 16 years previous) with robust native reputations.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £258.32 per week and £261.33 for under-twos.

Common home value: £318,457

In the marketplace: This three-bed terraced home is only a few minutes from St Davids centre and has a personal enclosed backyard (£369,950, jjmorris.com)

Hampstead, North-west London

Admittedly, you want deep pockets to dwell in Hampstead. However this good London suburb has a lot to supply households, together with one of many highest concentrations of faculties within the nation. The meadows, swimming ponds and taking part in fields of Hampstead Heath in addition to retailers, libraries, museums and eating places are additionally a draw.

Colleges: The world has a wealth of high-performing state and impartial faculties, together with Christ Church Major College (state) and Highgate College (fee-charging, personal day faculty for 4-18 12 months olds).

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £430.75 per week and £428.26 for under-twos.

Common home value: £1,392,016

In the marketplace: This four-bed terraced home simply off Finchley Street has been comprehensively refurbished all through, combining interval options with fashionable comfort (£1,275,000, ashtonchase.com)

Oakham, Leicestershire

This conventional English market city and holder of a Britain in Bloom award has an all-important low crime charge. Based in 1584, the city bustles with exercise, retailers and cafes and is near Rutland Water, set in over 4,000 acres of open countryside and ideal for household adventures.

Colleges: Oakham College (personal) is extremely regarded, as is Catmose Faculty academy.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £283.33 per week and £326.07 for under-twos.

Common home value: £338,404

In the marketplace: This three-bed indifferent property has a personal driveway and rear backyard with decked terrace (£400,000, expressestateagency.co.uk)

Burscough, West Lancashire

This thriving village wedged between Ormskirk and Southport has the perfect of each city and rural dwelling. There is a full of life sense of group and no scarcity of inexperienced areas and household actions such because the Martin Mere Wetland Centre. As of 2024, the crime charge in Burscough is 26 per cent decrease than the north west common and 54 per cent decrease than the England common.

Colleges: Westhead Lathom St James’ CofE Major College is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted, whereas ‘good’ Burscough Priory Academy is close by.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £247,225

In the marketplace: This spacious four-bed indifferent property in Lathom has rear and entrance gardens, off-road parking and a single storage (£350,000, iananthonyestates.co.uk)

Telford, Shropshire

Thought to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and established as a brand new city within the Sixties, sarcastically Telford boasts one of many largest city parks within the nation. The Shropshire city has a wealth of family-friendly actions scattered throughout the city.

Colleges: Over £800m has been invested in recent times to rebuild and transform each secondary faculty within the borough

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £261.44 per week and £269 for under-twos.

Common home value: £233,369

In the marketplace: This charming interval three-bed semi-detached property affords off-road parking, gardens and outbuildings. The property wants renovation however is brimming with potential (£150,000, pattison.co.uk)

Lytham St Annes, Lancashire

Simply two miles from the brilliant lights of Blackpool and shut commuting distance to Manchester, the quaint city on the Fylde coast affords a haven of seaside household dwelling. With points of interest corresponding to St Annes Seashore, Fairhaven Lake, and Ashton Gardens, in addition to group occasions all year long, it is a full of life place for a household dwelling.

Colleges: The city is dwelling to the distinguished King Edward VII College, whereas Rossall public faculty is in close by Cleveleys.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £164,813

In the marketplace: This semi-detached household dwelling, nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in strolling distance to Lytham, has three bedrooms, a big backyard and lounge with log burner (£275,000, martinco.com)

Jesmond, Newcastle

This prosperous space of Newcastle has a number of points of interest for younger households, from native museums to riverside walks. Since 2005 the Jesmond Group Competition has showcased the broad vary of actions going down within the space. Jesmond Dene is a slim wooded valley park that follows the river Ouseburn.

Colleges: Newcastle is thought for its good state faculties of which many have been awarded an excellent rating on their newest Ofsted inspections.

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £249.28 per week and £268.22 for under-twos.

Common home value: £370,246

In the marketplace: This semi-detached 4 bed room dwelling has views over Jesmond Dene and affords off-road parking and gardens to the entrance and rear (£475,000, sandersonyoung.co.uk)

Didsbury, Manchester

In line with native property brokers, faculties are the important thing and oldsters who need to get their little one into the perfect primaries love this stylish Manchester suburb. The excessive avenue has a number of bars and eating places, whereas the group really feel springs from the abundance of inexperienced house and parks, in addition to a number of household pleasant venues like The Parrs Wooden.

Colleges: Beaver Street Major College is rated ‘excellent’, as is Didsbury Excessive College

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £269.74 per week and £287.41 for under-twos.

Common home value: £370,987

In the marketplace: This characterful 5 bed room mid-terrace interval townhouse within the fascinating location of Withington, near Didsbury. There’s a entrance backyard and good sized rear backyard (£392,000, hammerpricehomes.co.uk)

Darlington, County Durham 

This market city has a number of the least expensive homes within the UK, but it is brimming with historic character and the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and North Pennines are all on its doorstep – so excellent for household outings. The city is dwelling to some top-ranking main faculties.

Colleges: Carmel Faculty is rated ‘excellent’ by Ofsted, as is St John’s Church of England Academy

Childcare: Full-time nursery for kids aged two and over is £249.28 per week and £268.22 for under-twos.

Common home value: £166,197

In the marketplace: This contemporary four-bed property is ideal for households, with open-plan kitchen/dwelling and bi-fold doorways out to the rear backyard (£264,995, smith-and-friends.co.uk/darlington)