Hildenborough Named Among UK’s Top 20 Places to Live in 2023

A village in Kent, Hildenborough, has achieved recognition as one of the top 20 places to live in the UK, particularly excelling in “wellbeing” and value for money. This accolade comes from the annual Garrington Property Finders Best Places to Live list for 2023, where Hildenborough secured the 18th position overall. It stands out as the only location in Kent to make the top 20.

The analysis conducted by Garrington involved evaluating 1,447 locations across England and Wales, each with a population of at least 5,000. Hildenborough ranked seventh for wellbeing, 217th for value for money, 349th for schools and jobs, 530th for the natural environment, and 594th for heritage and culture. According to Garrington, the average price for a family home in Hildenborough is currently £754,191, reflecting an increase of over 10% in the past year.

Community and Amenities in Hildenborough

Hildenborough is well-equipped with educational institutions, including the Hildenborough Church of England Primary School, Stocks Green Primary School, and Sackville School for secondary education. The village boasts a vibrant community life with several pubs, such as the Half Moon, The Plough, and the recently opened The Never Say Never, alongside numerous independent cafes and businesses.

A significant portion of Hildenborough is located within the River Medway valley and designated as a conservation area, which encompasses parts of Mount Pleasant, Church Road, and Tonbridge Road. This picturesque setting, combined with a direct train link to London Charing Cross, makes the village particularly attractive to commuters.

Hildenborough is also notable as the hometown of double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, who triumphed in the 800m and 1,500m events at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. This further adds to the village’s allure, showcasing its connection to sporting excellence.

According to the parish council, Hildenborough underwent significant expansion before and notably after the Second World War, particularly during the late 1950s. The surrounding countryside is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, ensuring a balance between development and natural beauty.

Comparative Rankings Across the UK

In the Garrington rankings, the village of Marple in Greater Manchester claimed the title of the best place to live in the UK, followed by Rawdon in West Yorkshire and St Albans in Hertfordshire in second and third places, respectively. Other Kent locations included Bearsted at 56th, Sevenoaks at 62nd, Rusthall and Langton Green at 128th, and Royal Tunbridge Wells at 171st. Margate was listed as the least favorable place to live in Kent, coming in at 1,401st, with Minster on Sheppey at 1,396th, Littlestone-on-Sea at 1,390th, and Ramsgate at 1,283rd.

The recognition of Hildenborough in this esteemed list highlights the village’s appealing attributes, suggesting it could be an ideal location for families and individuals seeking a high quality of life in the UK.