Norwich named the UK's best place to live for its small-town feel

The Sunday Times Best Places To Live 2026 guide names Norwich the national winner, praising its mix of historic character, cultural amenities and nearby green spaces.

Norwich has been named the national winner in The Sunday Times Best Places To Live 2026 guide. The announcement heads a list of 72 locations evaluated for local schools, transport, broadband and mobile signal, amenities, access to green space and high street vitality. Judges praised Norwich for its historic charm, cultural scene and a retained "small-town feel," and noted the city has appeared in all 14 editions of the guide. The guide was compiled by an expert judging team and is sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group. Key details: - Norwich is the national winner in The Sunday Times Best Places To Live 2026 guide. - The guide rates 72 locations and assessed factors including schools, transport links, broadband speeds, mobile signal, amenities, green spaces and high street health. - Norwich is the only place to have featured in every edition of the guide to date. - Judges described Norwich as creative and cosmopolitan while retaining a "green conscience and a warm heart" and a small-town feel. - The guide is sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and highlights winners across the UK's nations and regions. - The top ten list includes locations such as Malmesbury, Skipton, Lindfield, The Malverns, Usk, Linlithgow, Ballycastle, Richmond and Altrincham. Summary: The Sunday Times guide will be released online this Friday, with an abridged version appearing in a magazine supplement on Sunday, 22 March. The announcement names Norwich as the national winner and lists regional winners; further local detail is provided in the published guide.