Norwich named best place to live in the UK

The "historic character" and "urban buzz" of Norwich has earned the city the title of best place to live in the UK.

The cathedral city saw off competition from 71 other locations as part of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026, external.

Judges said they looked for thriving locations with a strong sense of community, rather than famous names and high house prices.

Holly Bamford, head of marketing at the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) and Visit Norwich, said: "Norwich has long been a city that quietly does things differently... so it's wonderful to see it recognised on a national stage."

Judges from the publication said they visited every location on the list and assessed them against factors including schools, transport, broadband speeds and mobile signal.

Elsewhere in the East of England, Chelmsford, Manningtree and Saffron Walden in Essex made it into the Sunday Times guide, as well as Bedford, Cambridge and Woodbridge in Suffolk.

Norwich, with its 900-year-old market, was described as a "creative, contemporary city, with a small-town feel".

It became England's first UNESCO city of literature in 2012.

Norwich Castle, which reopened in August following a £27.5m revamp, was also picked out as a highlight.

Bamford said the city was "full of character, creativity and a strong independent spirit".

Norwich BID is a not-for-profit organisation that represents businesses in the area.

"Our role is to champion that momentum [in the city], supporting businesses and ensuring Norwich continues to grow as a place people not only love to live in, but are inspired to visit and invest in."

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