Leeds village named one of England and Wales’ best places to live for 2026
A village in Leeds has been recognised as one of the best places to live in England and Wales for 2026.
Analysing data from across 1,450 cities, towns and villages, online property finder Garrington has unveiled its list of the best places to live in the new year.
Rawdon earned its place as a highly desirable destination after being ranked on five key criteria: natural environment, wellbeing, heritage and culture, schools and jobs, and value for money.
Coming in second, just behind Marple in Greater Manchester and beating the likes of St Albans in Hertfordshire and Long Ashton in Somerset, it was praised for its blend of great landscapes, panoramic views, and easy access to the city.
The village, situated just six miles from Leeds city centre, ranked 95th in natural beauty and represents good value for money. The price of an average family home dropped 0.3 per cent over the year, to £451,094.
Looking beyond West Yorkshire, the data reveal the traditional North-South divide narrowing, with Greater Manchester accounting for around a quarter of the top 20 spots.
“Greater Manchester performs strongly in our 2026 ranking, accounting for a quarter of the top 20 spots, including the table-topping Marple,” it said. “This is despite the rapid rise in average prices in the region, which was strongest in fourth-placed Bramhall, where the value of a typical family home surged by 10.8 per cent in just 12 months.”
The top 10 property hotspots in England and Wales in 2026, according to Garrington:
- Marple, Greater Manchester
- Rawdon, West Yorkshire
- St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Bramhall, Greater Manchester
- Long Ashton, Somerset
- Bowdon, Greater Manchester
- Stoke Gifford, South Gloucestershire
- Whitnash, Warwickshire
- Merley, Dorset
- Poynton, Cheshire