Norwich Named The Sunday Times Best Place to Live in the UK 2026
Norwich has been named the best place to live in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
“Our Best Places to Live winner in 2026 is a creative, cosmopolitan city with a green conscience and a warm heart. A place of inspirational spires and cosy pub fires, where you can enjoy the best of both urban conveniences and rural living, eat like a king — and where homes are affordable.”
This is a fantastic accolade for the city and a strong opportunity to build on its positive national profile. By sharing and amplifying this news, businesses can help reinforce Norwich’s reputation as a leading destination to live, work, and do business, further supporting efforts to attract investment, increase visitor footfall, and grow the local customer base.
- In 14 editions of the Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide Norwich is the only location to have featured in all
- Judges described Norwich as a creative, cosmopolitan city with a small-town feel
- Highlighted cultural riches included pioneering Sainsbury Centre, Norwich being the first English city to have a UNESCO City of Literature designation, six theatres, vibrant music venues and a newly revamped Norman castle.
“I have lived in cities all over the world and Norwich has something incredibly special. There’s a real buzz here but the pace of life is great and it feels safe because people look out for each other. It’s also surrounded by stunning countryside, has easy access to the Broads, and I can pick up my two children from school and we can be eating fish and chips on the beach in half an hour.”
Creative and Cosmopolitan
Norwich is fearlessly independent, a city to find pavements lined with quirky outdoor seating for alfresco dining and drinks. Where cosy city pubs with real fires in winter open secret gardens in summer for local brews, art and gourmet food. See Shakespeare in a monastic cloister, dine in an Art Nouveau arcade with a DJ set or paddle medieval trading routes through the city centre to be at one with nature.
“Norwich is a city full of energy and opportunity, home to a thriving mix of independent and national businesses. But what really sets it apart is the quality of life – a rich cultural scene, beautiful green spaces and a strong sense of community that makes people want to put down roots. It’s a place where businesses can grow and collaborate, and where people are choosing not just to work, but to build their lives and futures.”
Vibrant City Centre
Over a full 12-months Norwich presents a diverse calendar of live music, comedy, performance and installation art. Where full-on festivals from science and beer to history and literature- with circus thrown in for good measure, are appealing to all ages. Then there are boundary pushing exhibitions and performances, people dancing in the streets, museum exhibits without glass and culture where you least expect it.
Historic Character
Norwich’s compact medieval street pattern means independent shops rub shoulders with high street favourites in striking distance to our two magnificent cathedrals- Romanesque and Gothic Revival. Where Norman Norwich Castle overlooks our 900-year-old market and views from the battlements include the river Wensum, medieval churches, verdant parks and contemporary builds.
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