UK’s most desirable town is ‘aspirational and affluent’ hotspot with iconic street market

Harpenden was named the most desirable town in the UK to live for the second year running, in a list collated by estate agent Savills.

It used up-to-date census data to compile 50 places that scored the best in numerous categories. The number of residents with managerial jobs, qualifications levels, health, and the price of buying a property were taken into consideration. The list categorised towns in the east of England and southeast regions, and took into account the wealth-generated influence of London.

Harpenden was labelled as “well-connected” and “top of the class”, according to the researchers. It was revealed that 60 per cent of the population have a “level four” qualification, such as a bachelor’s degree. Located between Luton and St Albans and 25 miles north of London, it attracts many families with “every club or class imaginable”, according to one local. Kris Smith, of Savills Harpenden, recommends Harpenden’s “twice-weekly street market and a superb range of restaurants, wine bars and leisure facilities”.

Harpenden also has strong vehicle connections as well as a reliable train line. Sally Noakes, of Strutt & Parker, added: “The town is flanked – at a good distance away – by both the M1 and A1, which gives you easy links to London in the south and the Midlands.”

The average price in Harpenden is £766,000 – making it more affordable compared to second or third on the list of Britain’s most desirable towns. The average house price in Cobham, Surrey, is a colossal £1.17million, while Beaconsfield, Bucks; average price £1.07m.

HertsLive reported all of the towns on the list are located within an hour’s commute to London. The Telegraph said there are also five other Hertfordshire towns on Britain’s top 50 most desirable towns list. Other Hertfordshire areas also on the list includes Chorleywood (4th), Berkhamsted (9th), St Albans (10th), Rickmansworth (27th), and Hitchin (48th). However, it is not all about the south, as Cheshire market town of Wilmslow climbed up 10 places since the research was last carried out using the 2011 census data.

Lucian Cook, head of residential research for Savills, said: “It’s worth noting that these locations are not second-home hotspots. They are aspirational, ­affluent places that attract incoming wealth with good schools and a strong quality of housing stock where residents are economically active who are building up their property and personal wealth.”

The list of Britain’s top-50 most desirable towns, according to Savills: