TOWNS in Wyre Forest have been ranked as part of a 'best places to live' list compiled by a property finder firm. 

London-based firm Garrington has published a list of the top places to live in England and Wales after analysing data to help house hunters decide where to move this year.

Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley feature on the list, which ranks 1429 locations.

The data analysts identified cities, towns and villages that all score highly in at least one of five selection criteria – natural beauty and flood risk, wellbeing, heritage, schools and employment plus value for money.

Explaining its research methodology, the company said: "Garrington’s Best Places to Live 2024 report is an impartial, objective ranking based on publicly available data. The ranking is not based on subjective or personal opinions.

"Our data team compiled data in a total of 18 categories, including proximity to open space, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, numbers of listed and period homes, air quality, crime figures and the percentage of homes with their closest primary school ranked Outstanding by Ofsted".

Stourport was given an overall ranking of 826 out of 1429, with an average family home cost of £399,573. It scored highest in the 'House Price Quality and Value' category.

Kidderminster was ranked 829th, with an average family home cost of £359,694, according to Garrington. It received a high score in the 'Wellbeing' data category.

Bewdley received an overall ranking of 939, with an average family home cost of £462,506. It received a high score in the 'Natural Environment' category.

The locations that ranked highest this year on the Best Places to Live 2024 list are:

  1. Twyford, Berkshire
  2. St Albans, Hertfordshire
  3. Epsom, Surrey
  4. New Mills, Derbyshire
  5. Bowdon, Greater Manchester
  6. Godalming, Surrey
  7. Tring, Hertfordshire
  8. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  9. Farncombe, Surrey
  10. Henley, Oxfordshire