5 PLACES IN THE UK THAT OFFER EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIVING
Explore five UK locations to call home: Blackburn, Broughton, Hambleton, Lathom, and Midsomer Norton. All offer unique character, strong communities, outstanding schools, and an excellent quality of life, with Wain Homes developments that are designed to fit right in.
Location, location, location…
According to Phil and Kirsty, location is everything when it comes to choosing a home, and they’re not wrong. You’re looking for a property and a particular lifestyle that only a location can offer – green spaces to relax in, communities that feel like family, good schools for the kids, and that all-important sense of belonging.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family, or someone looking for a fresh start, getting the location right can be totally life-changing. To help find that, we’ve pinpointed five exceptional locations across the UK that consistently offer an excellent quality of living, each with its own unique character and charm. Better still, Wain Homes developments have introduced premium new build homes to many of these sought-after areas.
Blackburn, Lancashire
In Lancashire on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, Blackburn is a historic town that demonstrates a lovely balance between the county’s industrial heritage and twenty-first-century living. Once famous for its textile mills, the town has had quite the glow up, evolving into a vibrant modern community.
The town centre in particular has been given a new lease of life, now flush with a diverse range of high street and independent shops, quirky cafes, and restaurants. Blackburn also offers an exciting cultural scene with plenty of arts centres and historical attractions to explore, including the stunning Blackburn Cathedral and King George’s Hall – both genuine community hubs that locals absolutely love.
If the outdoors is your thing, then you’re spoilt for choice. Most notable is the nearby West Pennine Moors, which contain over 90 square miles of stunning countryside. This moorland has many pretty reservoirs and woodlands, with a spectacular view of other charming towns and villages from the Darwen Tower. Another fantastic outdoor attraction is Brockholes Nature Reserve, a must-visit wildlife sanctuary.
One other factor that makes Blackburn particularly appealing is its affordability, combined with excellent transport links. You’re consistently well-connected to Manchester, Preston and other major cities by rail and road. This makes it easy to commute and enjoy leisure activities without the steep prices associated with living closer to the city centre.
Looking to move to Blackburn? Check out our new development: The Hedgerows – it’s conveniently located, and is ticking the boxes for many couples and families…
Broughton, Lancashire
Broughton offers a lovely village atmosphere, all while being conveniently located just 4 miles north of the city of Preston, with all the amenities to boot. While it certainly embraces the conveniences of modern living, Broughton, like many villages in Lancashire, provides residents with excellent access to the countryside, with easy connections to the Ribble Valley. It’s also great for exploring the nearby towns, including the market town of Garstang and the rural village of Elswick.
Broughton itself, however, has a lot to offer. It’s home to several local businesses, offering a variety of quality restaurants and friendly pubs. Many local events and festivals also take place throughout the year, including the Broughton in Bloom festival, which celebrates the village’s beautiful gardens and floral displays.
For young families, excellent educational opportunities are available here, including Broughton-in-Amounderness Church of England Primary School and Broughton High School, both of which have been awarded an “Outstanding” rating by Ofsted. For older students, Cardinal Newman College and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) are both situated in Preston city centre, just a 30-minute bus journey away.
Fancy yourself living in a new home in Broughton? Check out our new development: Pinfold Manor, which is conveniently located near Preston.
Hambleton, Lancashire
If you’re looking for one of “those” villages, you know, the ones where kids go trick-or-treating and people go to town on their Christmas decs, then you’ve found it in Hambleton. Situated on the banks of the River Wyre as it meets the Fylde Coast, Hambleton offers the very best of semi-rural living. This coastal plain in western Lancashire is a 13-mile-long peninsula of hamlets, villages, and towns, each offering unique attractions. Most notable are the seaside resorts of Blackpool and Lytham St.Annes. A 45-minute drive from Hambleton, they offer families or couples a slice of leisure and fun, with long sandy beaches and amusement parks.
For Hambleton itself, you have access to loads of local businesses, cafes and pubs, and you can take your pick of local events to attend, both for little (and big!) kids, from village fairs to community gatherings.
The schools in the area are also highly rated. Hambleton is home to Hambleton Primary Academy, a primary school that has attained an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted. Within a 3-mile distance from the village, there are eight other primary schools, with two receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating and five rated as ‘Good’. In the adjacent town of Poulton-le-Fylde, there are two secondary schools: Millfield Science & Performing Arts College and Hodgson Academy, both of which have been rated ‘Good’.
Has Hambleton tickled your fancy as a potential place to call home? Check our our new development: Waterside Meadows – as you might just find your personal kind of perfect.
Lathom, Lancashire
Sandwiched between the more prominent towns of Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, the village of Lathom really is one of those “aah, this is nice” English villages.
The surrounding countryside is simply stunning – rolling fields, country lanes, and peaceful green spaces provide the perfect setting for an easy-breezy lifestyle. Whilst subdued, there’s still plenty to do, with the very best of English local shops, pubs, and other community facilities tying the locals together. For history buffs, it’s also a place of significant historic importance, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and nearby Lathom House serving as a site of siege during the English Civil War.
Lathom’s real advantage lies in its location. Despite feeling like a proper village, you’re never far from larger towns and cities. It remains well-connected to city centres like Preston and Liverpool, as well as the aforementioned town of Ormskirk, where markets are held every Thursday and Saturday. With Lathom, you get the peace of rural living combined with the convenience of being within reach of both business and pleasure.
If living in an “aah, this is nice” village has piqued your interest, you might be keen to know about our new developments in Latune Gardens…
Midsomer Norton, Somerset
Head south to Somerset and you’ll discover Midsomer Norton – a proper English market town with a lovely little beck, that feels like it’s been plucked straight from a period drama (but with all the up-to-date amenities you actually need). Simply put, it’s the kind of place where you can have it all.
First off, the town centre is brilliant – full of personality with independent shops you’ll actually want to browse, traditional pubs where locals gather, and a farmers’ market that’s worth getting up early for on Saturday mornings. Additionally, the town hosts an annual Carnival, attracting visitors from the wider South West region, as well as Christmas markets and other seasonal events. Regular performances and events also take place at the Midsomer Norton Town Hall, a hub for the local arts and culture scene.
But Midsomer Norton’s location is its trump card. The Mendip Hills are right on your doorstep, which means endless weekend adventures – hiking, cycling, or just exploring gorgeous countryside. And Bath? That’s just a quick drive away when you fancy a dose of culture, restaurant hopping, or proper shopping. Yet despite being so close to Bath’s attractions, Midsomer Norton hasn’t lost itself. It’s held onto its own personality and charm.
Fancy yourself living in a village that looks like it’s come straight out of a period drama? Check out Cherry Blossom View…
Find your kind of perfect with Wain Homes
So there you have it – five brilliant locations, each offering its own distinct advantages for quality of life. Whether you’re drawn to lively town life, peaceful countryside, scenic coastal paths, or quaint village living, the common thread is simple: these are places where people genuinely love living. That’s precisely why we at Wain Homes opted to develop in these regions.
If any of these places have got you interested, pop into a show home and have a chat with the team about what makes each spot tick, and see if a Wain Homes property might be just what you’re after.
You Might Also Like
A guide to buying a new build
Can You Buy A House In The UK With A 10K Deposit?
