Llandeilo named as one of the 'Best Places to Live' in Wales by the Sunday Times

“This pretty West Wales market town has transformed itself into a sophisticated shopping destination and a great showcase for local arts and crafts,” the newspaper said as it released its annual Best Places to Live guide online today.

Llandeilo’s mayor, Cllr Owen James, said the accolade was great news for the town as it builds to recover from the Covid pandemic.

He added: “As I always say it is the people that makes the place, and in Llandeilo we have got such wonderful people and a wonderful community that this news doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

“We rely on our small independent shops in Llandeilo and the fact that we don’t have ‘national’ shops speaks volumes. The smaller businesses thrive because they put more passion into their business and they want them to succeed; this is obvious to see, and it is great that Llandeilo has received such an accolade.”

The judges said of Llandeilo and the Towy Valley: “This pretty West Wales market town has transformed itself into a sophisticated shopping destination and a great showcase for local arts and crafts. The villages of the surrounding Towy Valley are a delight, too.”

They were impressed with the range of shops, from the luxurious chocolate shop Heavenly to the designer fashions at the Toast discount store, and the arts and crafts on display in the Crafts Alive gallery, as well as the beautiful scenery and views from the neo folly of Paxton’s Tower and Carreg Cennen castle.

Carreg Cennen Castle Picture: Paul Rees

Llandeilo resident and town councillor, Christoph Fischer said: “This is fantastic new for Llandeilo. I have only lived here for six years and it is one of the best places I have ever lived in. Llandeilo has a great community, shops and festivals. I am pleased to hear that it has been recognised in the Sunday Times.”

Usk in Monmouthshire was named as the best place to live in Wales. It is top of a list of six locations in the region chosen by The Sunday Times to represent the best of Britain in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

The comprehensive guide is released online today and will be available in the paper on Sunday.

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd; Cleddau Estuary, Pembrokeshire; Narberth, Pembrokeshire and Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan also made the list.

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings. With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live.

“Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages. Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected."