We love living in Bristol. It’s honestly an amazing place to live. But if you’re looking for a rural refuge, away from the hustle and bustle of the city: Then think about moving to Chew Valley. Full of picturesque village fêtes, wildflowers and the babbling River Chew (plus the Chew Valley Lake nearby), it’s a chocolate-box location at least worth a day trip.
Unsurprisingly, The Sunday Times has chosen Chew Valley among the Best Places to Live 2023. Alongside stunning churches and a community library, it namechecks Valley Arts, “a charity that brings music, comedy and theatre to pubs and the busy village halls, in addition to playgroups and Pilates.” And this sense of community in an area as desolate as Chew Valley, makes it a much sought after location.
Other draws include, a volunteer-run shop with a refill machine for local milk at Winford; New Manor Farm Shop, which sells veg and traceable meat and dairy; and the Community Farm’s organic veg shop every Saturday.
While, Jar’s Deli and the Lazy Lobster “help to boost Chew Magna’s reputation as the biggest and poshest of the villages.” Plus there’s the cider company Wilding Cider and Limeburn Hill Vineyard to enjoy a tipple or two from!
The big attraction every year, however, has to be Valley Fest. This family-friendly food and music festival, which features Bananarama and the Kooks this year, is an important date in every local’s diary and raises money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. While Chew Valley Plants Trees plans to double tree coverage in the area by 2030, making Chew Valley an future-proof idyllic place to call home.
But don’t pack your bags just yet! Moving just half an hour from Bristol won’t come cheap. The average property price in Chew Valley is £566,000, according to The Sunday Times. So for now, maybe just think about taking a day trip to visit!
How were the Best Places to Live 2023 chosen?
The Sunday Times’ Best Place to Live 2023 was decided through a mix of data and subjective research. Judges visited every location to take in the atmosphere and chat with locals. The most important factors are thriving high streets, beautiful open spaces and a strong community that “comes together for markets, festivals, sports and hobbies”.
Meanwhile, the data side looked into the latest inspection reports for local schools. Transport (road, rail and tram connections) was also considered. Especially highlighting places where you can live car-free and with effort made for scooters, e-bike schemes and clean air zones. While The Sunday Times also took into account house prices and wi-fi speeds.
To see the full list of location that made The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live 2023 head here.