Topsham and Totnes revealed as two of the UK's 'Best Places to Live'

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live, published in The Sunday Times from Sunday 17 March 2013, will reveal the little Nirvanas dotted across the UK.

The comprehensive and up-to-date two-part guide will take a wide range of elements into account including transport links, quality of schools, natural beauty, low crime rate, property prices, cultural life and unemployment figures. Each area is also assessed on its own individual assets, whether it is a local festival, fascinating architecture or proximity to an airport.

The guide names the 12 most desirable locations in the South West as:

Wadebridge, Cornwall
Topsham in Exeter, Devon
Totnes, Devon
Thornbury in Bristol
Bruton, Somerset
Sherborne, Dorset
Truro, Cornwall
Beaminster, Dorset
Oddington, Oxfordshire
Tisbury, Wiltshire
Wells, Somerset
Tetbury, Gloucestershire

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live is edited by Sunday Times Associate Editor and regular broadcaster Eleanor Mills. As author of the “Beyond the Brochure” property column she has visited every corner of the country to assess the pros and cons of relocating.

Eleanor says: “Scampering around Britain for my column I find there are particular bits of our crowded island which always retain a particular attraction for people. We have built on this basic information to create a definitive guide. The Sunday Times Best Places to Live will prove invaluable for anyone starting a family, retiring, or simply considering a move.”

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live will run across two weekends on 17 March and 24 March in The Sunday Times Home. As well as an overall national winner (announced in the first issue) the guide will announce the top 10 places in nine regions around the country.

Additionally, The Times will be reviewing locations based on a range of categories starting on Monday 18 March until Saturday 23 March. Categories will include best towns, villages, coolest places, the top locations to have a second home and more.