Usk named Best Place to Live in Wales

Usk has been crowned the best place to live in Wales in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide, with judges praising the Monmouthshire town’s strong community spirit, beautiful surroundings and convenient location.

The historic town, often known as the “Town of Flowers,” impressed judges not only for its attractive setting but also for the dedication of local volunteers who help make Usk a vibrant and welcoming place to live.

Community effort plays a central role in life in Usk. Volunteers help plant around 2,500 flowers each year, contributing to the town’s latest Britain in Bloom gold award, while others organise major local events such as the annual Usk Show.

Residents are also actively involved in environmental and conservation initiatives. Nesting boxes have been installed to support swift populations, and local wild swimmers successfully campaigned for a £10 million wastewater upgrade aimed at improving water quality and tackling river pollution.

More than 60 community groups operate in Usk, covering everything from astronomy to philosophy, ensuring that the town’s social calendar remains busy throughout the year.

Wales Well Represented in National Guide

Usk is one of seven locations in Wales to feature in the comprehensive guide, which highlights the best places to live across the UK.

The full Welsh list — presented alphabetically apart from the regional winner — includes:

• Usk, Monmouthshire

• Aberystwyth, Ceredigion

• Anglesey

• Cardiff: Pontcanna

• Cowbridge, Glamorgan

• Crickhowell, Powys

• Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

In total, 72 locations across the UK were selected for the 2026 guide. The overall national winner this year is Norwich, Norfolk.

The guide was published online on Friday, March 20, with a shortened version appearing as a magazine supplement in The Sunday Times on Sunday, March 22.

Celebrating Community Across the UK

Helen Davies, editorial projects director at The Sunday Times and editor of the Best Places to Live guide, said the annual list highlights communities where quality of life goes beyond property prices.

“This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain,” she said. “It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.

“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live.”

Judges travelled across the UK — from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast — assessing a wide range of factors including schools, transport links, broadband speeds, mobile coverage, amenities, access to green spaces and the health of the high street.

This year’s guide includes more new entries than ever before, with judges focusing on thriving communities rather than simply famous or expensive locations.

Support for Homebuyers

The guide is sponsored for the first time by Lloyds Banking Group, which provided average house price data for each location.

Kate Townson, Lloyds relationship and customer development director, said the partnership aims to give homebuyers useful insight into communities across the country.

“For many, navigating the housing market can feel overwhelming,” she said. “At Lloyds, our aim is to support all home buyers, including those taking their very first step onto the property ladder, with clear guidance, practical tools and tailored products that help them move forward with confidence and clarity.”

For residents of Usk, the recognition confirms what many already feel — that their small Monmouthshire town offers one of the strongest examples of community life anywhere in Wales.