I grew up in a quaint town named the UK’s best place to live in 2026

WHAT makes a town great? Is it the trendy restaurant offerings? Perhaps it’s the lush scenery? Or maybe it’s the people it attracts?

According to Savills, it’s primarily the latter.

I should be inclined to agree. After all, the estate agent, in conjunction with The Telegraph, has just crowned my hometown of Harpenden the most desirable place to live in the whole of Britain for 2026.

The experts looked at residents’ jobs, their level of qualifications and even their health to make the decision.

But in my opinion, none of that is what makes Harpenden shine.

Just 34 miles from London, the leafy Hertfordshire gem is close enough to the city-action – 30-minutes roughly, if the Thameslink trains are functioning – but far away enough to be fully enveloped in countryside.

On the morning that I wrote this piece, I’d been crunching my way across a frosty layer of snow with my dog, past shaggy-hooved horses and shiny holly bushes plump with red berries, without bumping into a single other soul.

Just over an hour later, after whipping off my wellies, I was sat in my office chair overlooking a misty London Bridge.

The phrase ‘best of both worlds’ is fitting here.

Aside from the rural rambles, there’s a small high-street which is almost still thriving thanks to the enthusiastic residents who have an undeniable love of the town.

If you need proof of this, pop to boutique shop Threads which sells Harpenden-themed tit bits in every form from mugs and cards that read ‘sending hugs from Harpenden’ to the ‘Harpenden Bluebells’ reed diffuser that my mum bought me for Christmas this year.

Yes, it’s all a bit sickly and cringe-inducing, but this hometown pride is partly what gives the place its charm.

I’m qualified to say all of this. I grew up in the area, went to school here (Harpenden has some of the best in the country, I’m frequently told) and am now in the process of buying my first home here.

By “home” I mean a teeny flat that’s barely over the required size to secure a mortgage – property prices are outrageously steep, with the average home costing just shy of a million quid.

But there’s a reason I scrambled together every penny I could to buy here, as opposed to its more affordable neighbouring town of Luton or looking further afield.

Many of the homes and buildings here, including my soon-to-be flat, are from another era and have a historic tale to tell, adding to the town’s appeal. 

The Gail’s Bakery – of course, there’s one of those (cue the eye roll) – is housed in a former bank and the old vault has been converted into a seating area, with its original chunky door secured ajar.

One of my favourite pubs, The Old Bell, supposedly a former farmhouse, is Grade II listed and feels just as a cosy British boozer should: wonky, full of small nooks and with a decent number ales and lagers on tap.

The owners love a theme.

In December, staff decorate every square inch of the ceiling in mismatching baubles. Any moment now, these will be replaced by heart-shaped motifs for Valentines Day.

If this one’s not your cup of tea, you’ll have around 20 boozers to pick from in this small town.

One of which is The Silver Cup, a family-run joint that’s been recognised in the Michelin guide for its hearty and sophisticated grub served in an unpretentious setting.

I get my coffee up the road from here at Brad & Dills in the park, a laidback coffee shop that has somewhat of a Cornwall surfer vibe about it, founded by two local guys.

This place knows how to serve a decent brew AND bagels – the pollo picante is a crowd pleaser: fried chicken, nduja mayo, mozzarella and crispy onions.

My favourite day of the month in Harpenden is Farmer’s Market Sunday. On the last Sunday of every month, stall holders take over the narrow highstreet, flogging homebaked goods, dog treats and hand-crafted souvenirs.

The sizzling onions and freshly-fried dumplings can be sniffed out from the very edge of town.

And that’s not all on the events list. Every summer, Harpenden hosts Classics on the Common, one of the largest car shows in the UK, featuring a collection of weird and wonderful old world vehicles.

I prefer Carols on the Common, though – a Christmas Eve event that I drunkenly stumbled to from the pub, having decanted my pint of Guinness – freshly-poured from The Old Bell – into my water bottle.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful… to Harpenden town. We’ll welcome you with open arms. Just as long as you buy a ‘Harpenden, Harpenden, Harpenden’ mug.