Town hailed one of best in the UK

This is the view of the Sunday Times journalists who compiled a list of what they describe as “the little nirvanas” dotted around the country - and included Leamington in the top ten most desirable places to live in the Midlands.

In the newspaper’s report, which is running over two editions - the first of which was published on Sunday (March 17) and the second which comes out this weekend, Leamington’s “wide, elegant Parade, lined with white stucco Regency terraces” is singled out, as is its “quirky” shops such as Stone the Crows and Italian restaurant La Coppola.

The report also points out the town’s fast links to Birmingham and close proximity to Warwick Castle, while its high-performing schools and good-quality housing are also mentioned.

Helen Davies, Sunday Times home editor, said: “We asked Sunday Times writers across Britain to look at different aspects of places in their patch, such as crime data and areas of outstanding natural beauty - but also to include their own gut feelings.

“We also looked at where’s good to eat out, where has a good choice of things to do at the weekend and where has a real community spirit about it.”

Other places shortlisted in the Midlands include Malvern and Northampton, while the place chosen as the overall best place to live in the UK was Stamford in Lincolnshire.