Somerset has been snubbed in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide after no town, village or neighbourhood in the county made the paper's south west selection.

The guide was published online on Friday, 20 March, with Malmesbury in Wiltshire named the best place to live in the region.

Seven other south west locations were also included: Bridport, Kingsdown in Bristol, Dartmoor, Exmouth, Falmouth and Penryn, Stroud, and Wimborne Minster. Apart from Malmesbury, the entries were published in alphabetical order rather than ranked.

That means Somerset missed out entirely while Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Bristol all secured places on the list.

The Sunday Times said Malmesbury stood out for its improving high street, strong community life, good schools and access to jobs and nearby cities. Across the UK, 72 places were selected for the 2026 guide, with Norwich named the overall national winner.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said the guide highlights places with lively centres, natural beauty, culture, connectivity and, most importantly, a sense of community.

She said judges visited every location and assessed factors including schools, transport, broadband speeds, mobile signal, amenities, access to green space and the health of the high street.

More local stories

Wells swan showdown ends as five cygnets are evicted

advertisement

TrainLink campaign raises bus trial concerns

TrainLink campaign raises bus trial concerns

Subscribe to the free Glastonbury Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Glastonbury stories straight to your inbox.