Todmorden named among the Sunday Times Best Places to Live

The Calderdale town is part of a list of 10 locations in the region chosen by The Sunday Times to represent the best of Britain in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

The comprehensive guide is released online today and will be available in the paper on Sunday.

The Sunday Times’s expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street.

They look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit - which the pandemic has shown to be the most vital quality of all.

This is what the judges had to say about Todmorden: "A healthy dash of alternative spirit and cheaper houses than Hebden Bridge are the big attractions for the judges here.

"They were impressed with the scenery too - especially the view from Stoodley Pike.

"The judges also admired the grow-your-own-food movement, Incredible Edible and the charitable efforts of a local wild swimming group raised £45,000 for Crisis through sponsored dips in frozen tarns and freezing waterfalls and lakes."

Ilkey was named as the regional winner in the North and Northeast with the other locations as follows: (Apart from the regional winner, the other locations are not ranked, but listed in alphabetical order.)

· Alnmouth, Northumberland

· Barnard Castle, Co Durham

· Easingwold, North Yorkshire

· Leeds

· Masham, North Yorkshire

· Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire

· Todmorden, West Yorkshire

· Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear

· York

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings. With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.

“Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected.