Town nestled in rolling Welsh hills that gets the best of two countries and is one of the best places to live in the UK
This gorgeous Welsh town has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times
Nestled right on the English border, flanked by rolling and deep Welsh hills and with the Offa's Dyke Path just skimming the edges, is a stunning historic town. Presteigne has been named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times and with a thriving local community and amazing views, it is easy to understand why.
This town, with a population of less than 3,000, may seem sleepy but the local community is buzzing. With everything from music festivals, an award winning museum to community projects and a packed high street, you are spoilt for choice.
The Sunday Times said: "You’re guaranteed a spectacular starscape in the only official Dark Sky town in England and Wales - and much more besides in this supremely community-minded town. Volunteer drivers are on hand to take people for long-distance hospital visits, the wildflowers that brighten up every verge and roundabout are planted by guerrilla gardeners, and a new community orchard and veg garden is taking shape.
"There’s a repair café, toy hospital and regular litter picks, as well as sports clubs, concerts and film screenings. From the pharmacist who moonlights as a fire-eater to the wheelbarrow race down the high street, expect the unexpected in Presteigne. There’s an incendiary Bonfire Night celebration, and lots of music, from the highbrow to the homespun."
Surrounded by devastatingly beautiful, unspoilt countryside, this thriving border town has many unique qualities that make it both a perfect destination and place to live. It is popular place for artists and creatives including Sara Bamford, 73, who moved to the area in her 20s and now owns and runs The Workshop Gallery and Café.
The Workshop Gallery and Café sells ethically produced and unusual gifts, cards, toys and jewellery and the café serves freshly prepared local produce, light lunches, soups, salads, homemade cakes, tea and coffees.
Along with the gallery and café, Sara and her husband David run David Bamford Handmade Carpets, makers of beautifully designed, bespoke, hand-knotted carpets, textiles, flat weaves, runners, blankets, embroideries, cushions and scarves. The Workhouse also houses a specialist carpet conservation, restoration and cleaning business.
Speaking about the area, Sara said: "We love it, we’ve lived here for 30 years… it has attracted a whole load of artists, musicians, writers and we all like each other.
"There is loads of stuff going on… it’s a really lively area with all these things happening, I love Presteigne. Everyone knows everyone else and looks after everyone else, there is lots of community things that go on."
Sara also noted that a lot of young people are returning to the area, she said: "What has been nice is to begin with a lot of my sort of age, older people, were coming here but more young people are coming back.
"My daughter was brought up here, she runs the café now, her friends are coming back to live here. Her friends have little kids and they all come to the gallery and the café and its really nice." From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
Every year there is the Presteigne festival in August and the organisation works closely with composers and artists to create and curate inspiring programmes and events for an ever-widening festival audience.
The festival lasts for six days and has been running for over 30 years. It has a long tradition of supporting young artists and for presenting a fresh and individually stylised mix of contemporary works carefully balanced with 20th century classics and featuring a wide range of music from the standard repertoire.
It is not just the local events and community, that make Presteigne such a great place to live, it is also the stunning scenery. There are rolling hills as far as the eye can see and Clatter Brook and the River Lugg gently trickle through the town, with Clatter Brook to the south and the River Lugg to the north.
Deputy mayor Andre Vanhuls spoke about the area, saying: "We have got some amazing walks around the area, great footpaths that go in through the town and out in different directions. It is a big tourist area for walking, cycling and is very popular."