Ever wondered what life is like in one of the UK's best places to live? Well, it seems that it's just as idyllic as you might imagine.

Nestled in north Wiltshire on the fringes of the Cotswolds lies the hilly town of Malmesbury, encircled by the scenic River Avon and sweeping countryside. While it's notably recognised as the oldest borough in England, with the oldest hotel, the picturesque town largely goes under the radar, and it's easy to get overshadowed by its better-known Cotswolds neighbours.

Yet, it was rightly thrown into the spotlight earlier this year when the Sunday Times declared it the best place to live in the south-west of England for 2026. The residents are at the heart of what makes this town so special, with a strong sense of community, a collection of independent businesses run by locals, and a variety of events that really bring everyone together.

You'll rarely walk down the narrow roads of Malmesbury, lined with Tudor Revival buildings decorated in beautiful, flower-hanging baskets, without a smile from a friendly face, or pass by inviting cafés to see residents catching up over a brew in one of the many outdoor spaces, be it outside the Town Hall or in the Cloister Garden of the 12th-century Abbey.

The high street is decorated with colourful bunting and packed with classic shop fronts that feel as though you've stepped into another era, while everyone seems to go about their day with a sense of calm that's hard to find anywhere else. Locals can easily spend their days strolling around the picture-postcard scenes of the town they call home, and while it's compact, it has everything you could possibly need, without losing its undeniable charm.

Sharing an insight into what life is like in this little Wiltshire town, Sam Wright, who works at the independent toy store, The Little Loft, said: "It's really nice, it's like a little community, and it's almost like a little village, but bigger. You walk past, and everyone knows everyone. The shopkeepers will be at their doors saying, 'Morning'. It's really pretty, and I feel a little bit proud to say this is my place."

With community at its core, there's plenty going on in the town, with "almost all of the shops independent". And for days spent in Malmesbury, Sam shared: "On a summer's evening, we'll go and get fish and chips from the shop, and then by the bowls club there's a bit where you can get in the water. So we sit there, eat them, and the kids get in the water, that's what we like to do. Then we walk back past the ice cream parlour, and get an ice cream."

Sam added: "There are loads of streams dotted around the bottom of Malmesbury, with different places where you can get in. There's Daniel's Well, right down the bottom, which is really pretty, and it's perfect for the kids."

Elsewhere, there's the family-run butcher and deli, Michael's, to pick up supplies for the weekend barbecue, the florist Persephone Violet, for when it comes to treating a loved one, and the bookshop, Barn Owl Books, which is a cosy haven for avid bibliophiles. Locals can also savour the flavours of Italy at The Bird Cage pizzeria and The Cosy Cone, which serves up homemade artisan gelato, or enjoy a morning cuppa at Jackclaws Coffee House, or a cream tea at the traditional Lally's Tea Rooms.

"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," Charlotte at the independent book shop, Barn Owl Books, shared. "We help out lots in the local community and host book clubs".

Sharing a closer insight into the events held in the town, Charlotte added: "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."

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