The Sunday Times newspaper’s Best Places to Live in Britain Guide has officially declared Penarth to be their number one spot to live in Wales. The Best Places guide chooses locations based on where the best quality of life for the widest number of people can be found, assessing each entrant through factors such as desirable features, positive community spirit, good local shops and services and attractive outdoor spaces. The annual supplement, which was published on March 13, also looks at data and statistics such as crime rates, house prices and school performance in making its rankings.
Home editor Hannah Davies, who compiled the Best Places to Live in Britain Guide said of our perfect little town: “This little seaside resort is particularly popular with young families: Stanwell and Westbourne schools are a big attraction. Its shopping centre has the feel of a trendy spa town, with butchers, bakers, grocers, bars and coffee shops, and the esplanade is a delight — recent renovations saw its stubby pier voted the country’s most treasured landmark in a poll for National Trust Wales. On nearby Marine Parade, the third most expensive street in Wales, Victorian piles sell for £1.5m. Similar but smaller homes of the same vintage can be had for half as much.
Richard Snell, business owner, based on Stanwell Road, said that Penarth is “just a lovely, lovely place”. “There is a real sense of safety here as we get very little crime which contributes to a great sense of well being,” he added. “There are wonderful schools and a great mix of shops. I have lived and worked all over the world so I am in a good position to judge and it is wonderful”.
The town mayor, councillor Rosemary Cook, said she was not surprised that Penarth came out so favourably. She said the town has so so much to offer everyone and that there is a real “buzz” about the place these days. “We have a top country park in Cosmeston Lake, an attractive town centre with independent shops of great charm and character, and wonderful Victorian & Art Deco architecture all this combined with excellent schools and a strong thriving community spirit singles out Penarth and makes it extra special. “I am so very happy to live in Penarth and very proud to serve as its mayor.”
Westbourne School would like to congratulate everyone in the local community for achieving this fantastic title as the best place to live in Wales