#1Bar Hill
Cambridgeshire · 3,899 peopleScore 87.4·#1 of 38 in Cambridgeshire
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk B+
Bar Hill, #1 on this list · Photo: Cruccone · CC BY 3.0England, Wales and Northern Ireland · Small towns
Best small towns in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire, ranks first of 1,289 small towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents in England and Wales, with an A+. 372 of the 1,289 grade A− or better.
The overall score, among towns of 2,500 to 9,999; the letter is the same UK grade every town gets. The area rank sits beside each letter. How grades work
#1A+
#2Elvetham Heath
Hampshire · 4,916 peopleScore 81.8·#1 of 45 in Hampshire
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability C+
#3Girton
Cambridgeshire · 4,384 peopleScore 81.4·#2 of 38 in Cambridgeshire
Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
The top 100
By overall score; the letter is the same UK grade as on each town’s page. Each area rank links to that area’s list. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among UK towns of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbours on the list often share a letter.
100 towns on this page. Counties and council areas with 15 or more towns have their own list.
#TownScoreGrade · area rankWhat drives it
1Bar HillCambridgeshire · 3,899 people87.4top 0.1%A+#1 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk B+
2Elvetham HeathHampshire · 4,916 people81.8top 0.1%A+#1 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability C+
3GirtonCambridgeshire · 4,384 people81.4top 0.2%A+#2 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
4KeyworthNottinghamshire · 6,822 people80.4top 0.3%A+#1 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: jobs & income B
5ReptonDerbyshire · 2,766 people79.7top 0.4%A+#1 of 40 in DerbyshireStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: hazard risk C+
6TwyfordBerkshire · 8,072 people79.5top 0.4%A+#1 of 17 in BerkshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
7CarryduffLisburn and Castlereagh · 7,173 people79.2top 0.5%A+#1 of 3 in Lisburn and CastlereaghStrongest: cost of living A+, safety A·lowest: walkability C
8Great Shelford and StaplefordCambridgeshire · 6,159 people78.5top 0.6%A+#3 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living C+
9MelbourneDerbyshire · 4,860 people78.4top 0.6%A+#2 of 40 in DerbyshireStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability B
10HawleyHampshire · 2,581 people77.8top 0.8%A+#2 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability B−
11HookHampshire · 9,062 people77.8top 0.9%A+#3 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: hazard risk C−
12WreccleshamSurrey · 7,312 people77.7top 0.9%A+#1 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: schools A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
13South WonstonHampshire · 2,686 people77.4top 1.0%A+#4 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
14GoringOxfordshire · 3,434 people77.4top 1.0%A+#1 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk D
15Marlow BottomBuckinghamshire · 3,339 people77.3top 1.1%A+#1 of 26 in BuckinghamshireStrongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living C
16Moor ParkHertfordshire · 5,850 people77.1top 1.2%A+#1 of 24 in HertfordshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
17MiltonCambridgeshire · 4,150 people77.0top 1.3%A+#4 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: hazard risk B
18OvertonHampshire · 4,350 people77.0top 1.3%A+#5 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
19East LeakeNottinghamshire · 8,551 people77.0top 1.3%A+#2 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: hazard risk B−
20Hartley WintneyHampshire · 3,465 people77.0top 1.4%A+#6 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: safety B−
21Long HanboroughOxfordshire · 3,034 people76.9top 1.4%A+#2 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: schools A, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
22Stansted MountfitchetEssex · 8,629 people76.6top 1.5%A+#1 of 48 in EssexStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C
23Walter's Ash and NaphillBuckinghamshire · 3,893 people76.6top 1.6%A+#2 of 26 in BuckinghamshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
24GnosallStaffordshire · 4,039 people76.5top 1.6%A+#1 of 28 in StaffordshireStrongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C−
25Seer GreenBuckinghamshire · 2,582 people76.5top 1.7%A+#3 of 26 in BuckinghamshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
26Woolton Hill and HighclereHampshire · 2,755 people76.3top 1.8%A+#7 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C+
27CharvilBerkshire · 3,158 people76.3top 1.8%A+#2 of 17 in BerkshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk D
28WargraveBerkshire · 2,896 people76.0top 1.9%A+#3 of 17 in BerkshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
29Histon and ImpingtonCambridgeshire · 7,781 people75.7top 1.9%A+#5 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: schools A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety B
30SilsoeBedfordshire · 3,419 people75.1top 2.0%A+#1 of 23 in BedfordshireStrongest: health A, safety A·lowest: walkability C
31NewportEssex · 2,945 people74.6top 2.2%A+#2 of 48 in EssexStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C+
32MagheraMid Ulster · 4,235 people74.5top 2.2%A+#1 of 3 in Mid UlsterStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A+·lowest: health C+
33HardwickCambridgeshire · 2,658 people74.5top 2.3%A+#6 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability B−
34WinnershBerkshire · 8,904 people74.3top 2.3%A+#4 of 17 in BerkshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C
35HiltonDerbyshire · 8,269 people74.3top 2.4%A+#3 of 40 in DerbyshireStrongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability D
36WoodstockOxfordshire · 3,522 people74.2top 2.4%A+#3 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C
37Watton at StoneHertfordshire · 2,614 people74.1top 2.5%A+#2 of 24 in HertfordshireStrongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C
38OverCambridgeshire · 2,898 people73.9top 2.5%A+#7 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: safety A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C
39Great GlenLeicestershire · 4,062 people73.9top 2.5%A+#1 of 31 in LeicestershireStrongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
40LintonCambridgeshire · 4,452 people73.8top 2.6%A+#8 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk C
41West BergholtEssex · 3,175 people73.7top 2.6%A+#3 of 48 in EssexStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living B−
42Great TothamEssex · 2,773 people73.6top 2.7%A+#4 of 48 in EssexStrongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
43Bramley and WonershSurrey · 4,193 people73.5top 2.7%A+#2 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: hazard risk C−
44Colden CommonHampshire · 3,827 people73.5top 2.8%A+#8 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C
45OakleyHampshire · 5,264 people73.4top 2.8%A+#9 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C
46HagleyWorcestershire · 7,012 people73.4top 3.0%A+#1 of 13 in WorcestershireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
47CuckfieldWest Sussex · 3,767 people73.2top 3.0%A+#1 of 22 in West SussexStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: cost of living C
48Horton HeathHampshire · 3,047 people73.2top 3.1%A+#10 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability D
49WillingtonDerbyshire · 2,717 people73.2top 3.1%A+#4 of 40 in DerbyshireStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
50BurwellCambridgeshire · 5,912 people73.1top 3.1%A+#9 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: walkability C
51North FerribyEast Riding of Yorkshire · 3,964 people73.1top 3.2%A+#1 of 15 in East Riding of YorkshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C−
52UppinghamRutland · 4,272 people72.9top 3.2%A+#1 of 1 in RutlandStrongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: safety C+
53Hemingford GreyCambridgeshire · 3,372 people72.8top 3.3%A+#10 of 38 in CambridgeshireStrongest: health A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D−
54Hillsborough and CulcavyLisburn and Castlereagh · 3,754 people72.7top 3.4%A+#2 of 3 in Lisburn and CastlereaghStrongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
55RippondenWest Yorkshire · 4,775 people72.7top 3.6%A+#1 of 54 in West YorkshireStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: walkability C+
56Milford and WitleySurrey · 6,489 people72.6top 3.7%A+#3 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living C+
57ShalfordSurrey · 2,508 people72.5top 3.7%A+#4 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C−
58Radcliffe on TrentNottinghamshire · 7,205 people72.4top 3.8%A+#3 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C−
59East HorsleySurrey · 5,843 people72.3top 3.8%A+#5 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: hazard risk D
60HildenboroughKent · 4,943 people72.2top 3.9%A+#1 of 56 in KentStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
61Four MarksHampshire · 5,613 people72.1top 3.9%A+#11 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
62Hertford HeathHertfordshire · 2,830 people72.1top 4.0%A+#3 of 24 in HertfordshireStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living C+
63Warrenpoint and BurrenNewry, Mourne and Down · 9,091 people72.0top 4.0%A+#1 of 8 in Newry, Mourne and DownStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A·lowest: health C
64RuddingtonNottinghamshire · 7,491 people72.0top 4.1%A+#4 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: schools A, cost of living A·lowest: safety B−
65Kingston BagpuizeOxfordshire · 3,905 people71.9top 4.2%A+#4 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C
66RudloeWiltshire · 2,863 people71.8top 4.2%A+#1 of 17 in WiltshireStrongest: hazard risk A, safety A−·lowest: schools C+
67Chalfont St GilesBuckinghamshire · 4,707 people71.7top 4.3%A+#4 of 26 in BuckinghamshireStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
68MalmesburyWiltshire · 7,184 people71.6top 4.4%A+#2 of 17 in WiltshireStrongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: hazard risk C+
69EynshamOxfordshire · 5,321 people71.5top 4.4%A+#5 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: schools A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C+
70DungivenCauseway Coast and Glens · 3,346 people71.4top 4.5%A+#1 of 4 in Causeway Coast and GlensStrongest: cost of living A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability C−
71KelsallCheshire · 2,997 people71.4top 4.6%A+#1 of 26 in CheshireStrongest: health A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living D
72DunningtonNorth Yorkshire · 3,256 people71.4top 4.6%A+#1 of 37 in North YorkshireStrongest: safety A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
73MakeneyDerbyshire · 4,691 people71.3top 4.8%A+#5 of 40 in DerbyshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
74Burley in WharfedaleWest Yorkshire · 6,806 people71.2top 4.8%A+#2 of 54 in West YorkshireStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C−
75BrixworthNorthamptonshire · 5,769 people71.2top 4.8%A+#1 of 20 in NorthamptonshireStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability C+
76CorbridgeNorthumberland · 2,888 people71.2top 4.9%A+#1 of 11 in NorthumberlandStrongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C
77Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth HarcourtLeicestershire · 7,329 people71.1top 5.0%A+#2 of 31 in LeicestershireStrongest: cost of living A, health A−·lowest: hazard risk C
78Crawley DownWest Sussex · 5,775 people71.1top 5.0%A+#2 of 22 in West SussexStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability C
79OaklandsHertfordshire · 3,960 people71.0top 5.1%A#4 of 24 in HertfordshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
80Little ChalfontBuckinghamshire · 6,506 people71.0top 5.1%A#5 of 26 in BuckinghamshireStrongest: schools A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C−
81Witham St HughsLincolnshire · 3,483 people70.9top 5.2%A#1 of 45 in LincolnshireStrongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
82Sonning CommonOxfordshire · 5,264 people70.9top 5.3%A#6 of 28 in OxfordshireStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
83LiphookHampshire · 7,128 people70.7top 5.3%A#12 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety B−
84PannalNorth Yorkshire · 2,530 people70.7top 5.5%A#2 of 37 in North YorkshireStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D
85SwanlandEast Riding of Yorkshire · 3,965 people70.6top 5.5%A#2 of 15 in East Riding of YorkshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability D
86BallygowanArds and North Down · 3,138 people70.5top 5.6%A#1 of 3 in Ards and North DownStrongest: cost of living A+, safety A·lowest: walkability D−
87WhitchurchHampshire · 5,291 people70.4top 5.7%A#13 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D
88Stamford BridgeEast Riding of Yorkshire · 4,487 people70.3top 5.8%A#3 of 15 in East Riding of YorkshireStrongest: safety A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk C+
89WeltonLincolnshire · 4,586 people70.3top 5.8%A#2 of 45 in LincolnshireStrongest: schools A, health A−·lowest: walkability C
90WindleshamSurrey · 3,706 people70.2top 5.9%A#6 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: walkability C−
91BishopthorpeNorth Yorkshire · 3,333 people70.2top 5.9%A#3 of 37 in North YorkshireStrongest: safety A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk D−
92EsherSurrey · 9,484 people70.1top 6.0%A#7 of 27 in SurreyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C−
93EdwaltonNottinghamshire · 4,762 people70.1top 6.1%A#5 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C+
94CollinghamNottinghamshire · 2,870 people70.0top 6.2%A#6 of 29 in NottinghamshireStrongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
95New AlresfordHampshire · 5,340 people70.0top 6.2%A#14 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living C+
96North BaddesleyHampshire · 6,996 people70.0top 6.3%A#15 of 45 in HampshireStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: walkability C
97EcclestonLancashire · 4,543 people70.0top 6.3%A#1 of 31 in LancashireStrongest: schools A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability D
98Barton-under-NeedwoodStaffordshire · 4,713 people70.0top 6.3%A#2 of 28 in StaffordshireStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C−
99Capel St MarySuffolk · 2,992 people69.9top 6.4%A#1 of 24 in SuffolkStrongest: health A+, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C−
100Dickens HeathWest Midlands · 4,797 people69.9top 6.4%A#1 of 5 in West MidlandsStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
Not ranked
Not on this list
19 military garrison towns and university campuses keep their grades but aren’t ranked: most residents serve in the forces or are students. 204 towns have no overall grade: missing figures this grade needs. 15 towns have no overall grade: Greater Manchester Police doesn’t publish to police.uk, so no Safety Grade and no overall grade.
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town to live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire ranks first of 1,289 (A+): health (A+) and jobs & income (A+) are its strongest grades; hazard risk (B+) is its lowest. Elvetham Heath, Hampshire and Girton, Cambridgeshire follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades (cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability, flood risk) from public data, each comparing a town with every UK town. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade. Towns without one are counted above with the reason.
County by county
Best small towns, county by county
BedfordshireBerkshireBuckinghamshireCambridgeshireCheshireClwydCornwallCounty DurhamCumbriaDerbyshireDevonDorsetDyfedEast Riding of YorkshireEssexGloucestershireGwentHampshireHertfordshireKentLancashireLeicestershireLincolnshireMid GlamorganNorfolkNorth YorkshireNorthamptonshireNottinghamshireOxfordshireSomersetSouth YorkshireStaffordshireSuffolkSurreyTyne and WearWarwickshireWest SussexWest YorkshireWiltshire
Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.