I visited the charming UK town that has been named as one of the best places to live - and I instantly felt at home.

Tucked away in north Wiltshire and on the edge of the Cotswolds, is the idyllic town of Malmesbury. Sitting atop a hill, surrounded by the scenic River Avon and rolling countryside, Malmesbury is known as the oldest borough in England, brimming with charm and a thriving high street packed with independent shops, where empty shops are a rarity.

While it might get overlooked by its more famous Cotswolds neighbours, Malmesbury was rightly thrown into the spotlight earlier this year when it was named by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in the south-west of England. The thriving community spirit, independent businesses, and local events are what make this town so special, and after just a short visit, it was instantly clear why Malmesbury deserved its acclaimed title.

On a Tuesday morning, I arrived as the town was waking up, commuters had left for work, and local businesses were welcoming their first flurry of customers. Cyclists were sitting in the sunshine outside Malmesbury Town Hall with a steaming cuppa from its Jackclaws Coffee House, while friends opted for a catch-up further in town at The Summer Café, which proved to be popular, even for a weekday morning.

Locals certainly aren't short of places for a coffee, with the Cloister Garden of the magnificent Malmesbury Abbey, also proving valuable, thanks to its small café, serving up bacon sandwiches, toasties, teacakes, scones and ice creams. The gardens are also a haven for taking a moment for yourself with a book or simply sitting under the wooden arbour that runs the length of the outdoor Cloisters.

The 12th-century abbey is certainly at the heart of the town, with its gatehouse leading into the grounds, fascinating architecture, and a notice board packed with posters promoting a flurry of community events. This was the same for the town hall, which had doors crammed with posters for morning yoga classes at the Abbey, a free summer concert, music clubs, magical history tour and evening talks.

As a further nod to its strong sense of community, the town hall has community fridges where residents can pick up fresh produce or bakery goods provided by Co-op. Locals can help themselves and are asked to 'take only what you'll use, and leave enough for others'.

Decorating the town, including its Tudor Revival buildings, are colourful flags and vibrant displays of flowers donated by a local nursery that grows its own flowers, as one local told me. I found them in hanging baskets outside shops and the town hall, with more arranged in giant plant pots, flower beds, and even in stacks of old tyres outside the local garage.

Amongst its idyllic setting is its high street, brimming with independent shops, from health foods at The Wild Food Company, the florist Persephone Violet, hardware store, E&S Shops Ltd, toy store, The Little Loft and bookshop, Barn Owl Books. The family-run butchers and deli, Michael's, is another standout in the town, along with The Bird Cage pizzeria, with its green facade on the town's corner, Lally's Tea Rooms, and The Cosy Cone, which serves homemade artisan gelato, a favourite among locals.

It was easy to sense how tight-knit the community in Malmesbury is, and its residents couldn't be prouder. "It's very family-oriented, it's a little community, and everyone is really supportive as well," Sam Wright, who works at the independent toy store, The Little Loft, told me.

Charlotte at the independent book shop, Barn Owl Books, also shared, "There's always lots going on, it's really bustling. It's just a really lovely place to raise the kids, and it's local to everywhere, really, with a nice little community. "We help out lots in the local community and host book clubs".

Charlotte added that the sense of community, independent business and people are what make Malmesbury stand out.

"There are always stories of people helping out each other; everybody is quick to jump in and support each other." Sharing a closer insight into the events held in the town, Charlotte said: "The Old Bell has the themed bar, and they do quizzes, along with the local pubs, the local boxing club had a festival on, and there's the history society, so there's always so much going on, and something for everyone."

While I only spent a morning in Malmesbury, I was impressed and couldn't help but wonder why I hadn't visited sooner or contemplated moving to the charming town myself.

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