The best places to live in the South West have been revealed in the Sunday Times annual guide for 2021.
The yearly round-up by the newspaper examines each region of the 海角视频, taking into account green spaces, air quality, transport, broadband speeds, culture and the health of the high street.
It looks for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well-designed homes and locations with community spirit.
Stroud, in Gloucestershire, was named the overall best place in Britain to live in 2021, while Frome, in Somerset, was named regional winner for the South West.
The market town of Stroud was chosen for its "unique independent spirit" and impressive local food scene, while Frome was selected for its "attractive, creative and energetic community", according to Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times property editor.
"It is a town where everybody is keen to get involved," she said.
Here, we take a look at West Country's best places to live in 2021. Apart from the regional winner, the other locations are not ranked, but listed in alphabetical order.
Frome
The regional winner was chosen by the judges for its pretty cobbled streets, interesting shops, lively markets and for the creative energy on display at venues such as the Black Swan Arts Centre.
The judges said: 鈥淭his town is all about doing, with a huge number of local groups from ladies cycling and inland diving to Nifty Needles sewing.
"Politics isn鈥檛 left to the politicians, with the town council run entirely by independents. And health isn鈥檛 left to the doctors, thanks to the Compassionate Frome project - one of the best things here.鈥
The scheme, launched by the town鈥檚 GP surgery, has dramatically reduced hospital admission numbers by providing community support for patients, and it now has more than 700 volunteer 'community connectors' on its books.
Average sale price: 拢300,000
Average rental: 拢750 pcm
Bradford-on-Avon
鈥淏etter than Bath鈥, was the Sunday Times judges鈥 verdict. 鈥淚t鈥檚 cheaper, less touristy and has a lot less traffic than its famous neighbour, as well as a historic charm of its own. It鈥檚 impressively arty, too, and the river, canal and surrounding countryside are great places to walk,鈥 they said.
They also admired the Lockdown Window Exhibition Challenge, started by award-winning artist Tanya Achilleos Lock. Favourite pit-stops included: Ravello, a sophisticated Italian restaurant with a courtyard garden; and Gilou's cafe, The Shambles, for coffee and pastries.
Average sale price: 拢395,000
Average rental: 拢895 pcm
Bristol Harbourside
The judges said they love the way the revamped Harbourside has filled in some of Bristol鈥檚 gaps.
鈥淒uring lockdown, the revitalised harbour has given Bristol a new heart, a place for people to gather - at a safe social distance of course - and relax with a takeaway coffee, ice-cream or meal from one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants,鈥 they said.
They particularly like the independent businesses - many housed in shipping containers - around Wapping Wharf, including Little Victories for its coffee and Oliver鈥檚 gelateria.
The judges also noted the fact Temple Meads Station and the rest of the city is easily reached on foot or by bike. Although houses in Bristol are expensive, the judges highlighted improving areas with some good-value homes, including Bedminster, Easton and Totterdown.
Average sale price: 拢300,000
Average rental: 拢1,050 pcm
Chagford
鈥淎rty, environmentally minded and hospitable, historic Chagford is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the magical scenery of Dartmoor while keeping conveniently close to Exeter,鈥 was the judges鈥 verdict here.
Their favourite things include the beautiful outdoor lido - and the campaigners who raised funds to maintain it with an exhausting sponsored swim - and the collection of local shops, including a greengrocer; newsagent; chemist; wine shop; convenience store; and a delicatessen where nearly everything is homemade.
The real star here, according to the Judges, though is the Dartmoor landscape: 鈥渁 bewitching patchwork of craggy tors, steep valleys, pretty villages and ancient thatched cottages.鈥
Average sale price: 拢365,000
Average rental: 拢735 pcm
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge was the judges鈥 favourite spot in the lovely South Hams. 鈥淭he down-to-earth neighbour of high-falutin鈥 Dartmouth and Salcombe is just as well placed to enjoy the beautiful coast and countryside, but unlike them it has a year-round sense of community as well as a gem of an independent cinema,鈥 they said.
Other highlights include a practical town centre, including butchers and greengrocers H Luscombe and Son, a five-generation family business; a DIY store; and a long-standing toy shop, The Trading Post, that went click-and collect during lockdown and was named the toy industry鈥檚 independent retailer of the year.
The judges also said the community spirit was strong, with Kingsbridge In Bloom volunteers picking up litter and weeds, and dead-heading the hanging baskets.
Average sale price: 拢262,000
Average rental: 拢750 pcm
Lizard Peninsula
The judges described the area as 鈥淓ngland鈥檚 greatest escape, with all that鈥檚 best about Cornwall right on the doorstep".
Highlights include surfing at Poldhu Cove; sailing at Helford; and the spectacle of Kynance Cove, with its turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations.
There was particular praise for Poldhu Beach Cafe; the takeaways from the Cornish Curry Company in Mullion; and Ann鈥檚 pasties, which they rated as Cornwall鈥檚 best.
They highlighted the choice of pretty places to live - from Porthleven, a smart foodie hub, to atmospheric Cadgwith Cove, which is one of Cornwall鈥檚 last fishing coves. The community there has launched a campaign to buy the old fishing lofts that are vital to preserving the industry.
Average sale price: 拢360,000
Average rental: 拢765 pcm
Swanage
鈥淎n all-too-rare example of an old-fashioned seaside resort that鈥檚 happy all year round,鈥 was the judges鈥 verdict here.
鈥淚t has a magnificent Victorian pier as well as active clubs and community groups. And some of Dorset's finest scenery is right on the doorstep.鈥
They picked out the range of sports clubs, led by the sailing club and including tennis, cricket, football and croquet, and the regular beach cleans, litter picks and tree-plantings, as well as the award-winning chocolate gelato from Fortes ice-cream parlour.
Average sale price: 拢375,000
Average rental: 拢765 pcm
Tisbury and the Nadder Valley
Tisbury is a long-standing fixture on the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list for its sophisticated take on country life.
The judges admired the high street, which is full of independent shops and cafes, as well as the Beckford Arms, which they said was "one of the smartest" country gastropubs around.
They were also impressed by Messums Wiltshire - an arts centre in a beautiful old Tithe Barn.
"Tisbury proves that country living can be smart enough to appeal to city slickers. The station makes travelling to London and Salisbury a doddle. If you want less bustle, the chalk streams and pretty villages in the surrounding countryside are a delight,鈥 they said.
Average sale price: 拢299,950
Average rental: 拢825 pcm
Topsham
鈥淎n old favourite on the Exe Estuary, Topsham has a fun independent, community and beautiful houses conveniently close to Exeter,鈥 said the judges.
They praised the efforts of two volunteer groups: the Estuary League of Friends and Love Topsham.
Estuary League is a charity, which already runs the town鈥檚 post office and library, and it co-ordinated the town's Covid fightback. Love Topsham is a voluntary group cheerleading for local businesses and residents, which provided outdoor eating and drinking tables to help during Covid and is planning a programme of street musicians over the coming summer.
Average sale price: 拢485,000
Average rental: 拢925 pcm
Wadebridge
鈥淚t鈥檚 a cliche but it鈥檚 true: live in Wadebridge and you really do have it all," the judges said.
The town is on the edge of an area of outstanding natural beauty, with Cornwall鈥檚 top surfing beaches and the county鈥檚 wild moorlands nearby.
They were also impressed with the range of shops in the centre: Baker Tom鈥檚 for Saffron Buns; interiors store Scandi Coastal for candles and tableware; family-owned Wadebridge Wines; and the Regal Cinema.
Average sale price: 拢350,000
Average rental: 拢800 pcm
The supplement will be published in the newspaper on Sunday March, 28.
