Hertsmere one of best places to live in UK, says survey

A survey looking to find the top 50 places to live in the UK listed the borough, encompassing Bushey, Radlett and Aldenham, in 21st position.

Hertsmere was also recognised as having some of the biggest homes in the country, coming third in the category with an average of seven habitable rooms per household.

Wychavon in Worcestershire topped that list with an average of 7.4 habitable rooms.

The survey, published by banking group Halifax, assessed residents' health and life expectancy, employment, crime rates, weather, and factors such as good broadband internet access.

Figures were taken from 405 local authorities nationwide as well as other bodies including the Met Office, the Department for Transport, Department of Children, Schools and Families.

Other top 50-ranked places included Dacorum (37th) and St Albans (7th). Top was the north-east Hampshire district of Hart incorporating the towns of Fleet, Yateley and Hook.

Councillor Brenda Batten (Conservative, Bushey Heath), leisure portfolio holder at Hertsmere Council, believes the survey’s results can only be good news for the borough.

She said: “I suppose it is because we are just outside London so we are away from the hustle and bustle. We are really very lucky. We have good facilities, a good council and satisfaction rates across the borough are always very high.

“We have high priorities on health and we are looking to work with other agencies to encourage people to keep fit even more if we can. The survey is excellent news but there is always room for improvement and we will strive to achieve that.”

The top 50 best places to live in the UK list is dominated by areas in southern England, with just over half (27) in the South East and a further 15 areas in the East of England.

Hertsmere’s rating comes after two of its streets, Loom Lane in Radlett and Broadfield Way in Aldenham, were named in a list of the top 250 most expensive places to live in the UK.