A West Country town that was once called ‘the most depressing place’ in England has now been named one of the best places to live in the UK. Falmouth, which is known for its creative vibe, was given a bad name by the iLiveHere poll.
They said it was “bland and boring” and had an air of “soul-destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void”. But now, The Sunday Times sees things differently.
Less than a month after the bad review, Falmouth got praised as one of the top spots to live in 2024 by The Sunday Times. On Friday, March 15, they published a full guide with 72 locations across the UK that are great to live in.
Seven of these places are in the South West. Sherborne in Dorset won the title of the best place to live in the South West. North Berwick in East Lothian is the number one Best Place to Live in the UK, reports Bristol Live.
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The judges looked at many things like schools, transport, and how fast the internet is. They also checked out green spaces and if the high street is doing well.
North Berwick in Scotland has been crowned the best place to live in the UK. The judges loved its community spirit and easy access to Edinburgh, which is just a half-hour train ride away.
With two lovely beaches and a bustling high street full of unique shops, it’s clear that what we value in our homes has changed.
Sherborne in Dorset was picked as the top spot in the South West. Other places on the list include Cirencester in Gloucestershire, Clevedon in Somerset, Dartmouth and Exmouth in Devon, the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, and Tisbury in Wiltshire.
Falmouth may be smaller and have less predictable weather, but it offers a coastal lifestyle similar to California or Barcelona.
On any sunny morning at Gyllyngvase Beach, one of four in the town, you’ll see dogs playing, people swimming in the sea, and others doing yoga or tai chi. Some folks just sit with a coffee, enjoying the view and eating a croissant from the cafe.
Gylly Beach, with its clean toilets and showers, friendly bar and cafe, is likely the best town beach in the UK. The high street is packed with unique shops, there’s an arthouse cinema and theatre at the Poly, live music at the Cornish Bank, and art galleries everywhere you look.
The coffee scene is top-notch, and there are loads of great places to eat and drink, from Harbour Lights’ fish and chips (so good it beat Rick Stein’s chippie), to the tasty and affordable rotisserie chicken at the Star and Garter, which serves different Sunday roasts each weekend.
Unlike many parts of Cornwall, Falmouth hasn’t been drained by second-home owners. It does get crowded in the summer, but this is a real working town that stays lively all year.
This is partly due to good transport links to Truro and further afield, and a large student population at Falmouth University, the harbour town’s specialist art school, and Exeter’s Penryn campus. Many creative folks stay on after they graduate to start their own design firms or pottery studios.
Falmouth has something for everyone: active retirees, first-time homeowners, and young parents who still want to enjoy surfing or the bargain negronis at the popular local bar Provedore. There’s plenty to keep the kids busy too, with youth theatre, rugby, football, and a competitive surf lifesaving club that welcomes members aged seven to 77.
Cyclists and joggers can enjoy the peaceful coastal roads and paths, keeping an eye out for porpoises and basking sharks around Pendennis Point. The creeks and estuaries are perfect for exploring by kayak, paddleboard or sailing boat.
Falmouth College was inspected in 2023 and was told it “requires improvement”, which is still better than the “inadequate” rating it received in 2019. Private school options nearby include Truro School (pre-prep fees start from £10,440 a year; senior from £16,755; boarding from £28,605) and Truro High School for Girls (from £9,207 a year; senior from £16,398; boarding from £30,480).
Where’s the best place to live?
The most expensive homes are on the outskirts of town. In the village of Flushing, across the Penryn River, the mansions on Trefusis Road can go for up to £3 million.
In Falmouth itself, you’ll need at least £1.5 million for a large property overlooking Swanpool or Maenporth Beach. However, the charming period townhouses with water views on Stratton Terrace (£1 million) or Wodehouse Terrace (£650,000) are just as desirable.
What do houses cost in Falmouth?
The average property price is £373,000 according to Halifax using Land Registry data.
Helen Davies, the editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “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. That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.”
The guide adds: “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.”
Other South West spots that made it into the guide include Cirencester in Gloucestershire, Clevedon in Somerset; Falmouth in Cornwall; Isle of Purbeck in Dorset and Tisbury in Wiltshire.
