Many of us Londoners spend copious amounts of time dreaming about our next weekend getaway, or, if the city has not been your friend recently, some of us even dream about moving away to somewhere a bit more relaxing. The fast pace of the capital can sometimes take its toll and so there is no shame in (occasionally) longing for a more peaceful way of life.
Look no further than the market town just an hour away from London – a direct train to Waterloo takes one hour nine minutes – which frequently sits on ‘the best place to live’ surveys in terms of both health and happiness. The area would also be a great destination to travel to for a mini-break – Wokingham is clearly the place to be this year.
Recently, Wokingham was named 10th in Halifax’s 2020 Quality of Life survey listing the best places to live in the UK – but that isn’t the first time it’s made the list. Back in 2013, it was also named the healthiest place to reside in a Public Health England new report, citing its low premature mortality rates of all local authorities in England – just 200 deaths under the age of 75 per 100,000.
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(Image: GettyImages)
Later, in 2007, Halifax listed the town as the number one place to live in Britain, due to its average £744 wage per week. A staggering 84 per cent of residents also owned their own homes at the time. Another survey even named Wokingham as the best place to bring up a family, because of its good schools and low crime rates.
Later, in 2017, the town featured again on Halifax’s list, placing sixth, just behind Winchester, Wychavon, Rutland, Orkney Islands, and Hart. Finally in 2021, the Wokingham borough was named the most prosperous place to live in the UK, according to Legatum Institute’s findings. After analysing 379 local authorities report said that it had the best living conditions, in terms of health and business conditions.
Leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats, Cll Lindsay Ferris told Wokingham Today: “While we may be the most affluent area of the UK, we judge an area on its compassion for others as well and here in Wokingham borough we have one of the most compassionate group of people in the country. It is not just the level of income people have, but what they do to help their neighbours and less well off that makes this area really special.”
Between the 14th and 16th century, the town was known for supplying bells to churches across the South of England. During the Tudor period, Wokingham produced silk and some of the houses involved in the industry still remain on Rose Street.
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A bell ringer who has lived in the town since 1967, John Harrison, spoke to The Guardian about the benefits of living there. He said it is a peaceful and happy place to live but it has its downsides. Harrison said there are: “Too many cars, and housing development pressure,” suggesting the town is victim to its success.
Elsewhere in Wokingham, there are plenty of public parks to explore and even a nature reserve called Holt Copse & Joel Park. For a full day out, why not explore some of the Manor houses in the area, including Evendon or Buckhurst Manor (now known as St Anne’s Manor).
The town also hosts Wokingham Music, Food & Drink Festival every August, demonstrating local musicians, and food and beverage producers. For an evening out, why not head to the Open Air Cinema which showcases films the weekend prior to the Wokingham Festival. Alternatively, head to the Red Lion pub which was used for scenes in the ITV series Primeval.
What do you think of the town? Let us know in the comments.
Got a story you think we should write? Get in touch beth.gulliver@reachplc.com
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