Withdean Woods, a neighbourhood located in Brighton, has been named the best place to live in England, according to a recent ranking by the Daily Mail.
The study assessed 6,856 neighbourhoods across the country, using eight critical factors to determine overall desirability.
These included house price growth, crime rates, incomes, deprivation levels, internet speed, access to green spaces, air quality and transport links.
Withdean Woods emerged at the top with an overall score of 85.2 out of 100, outperforming nearly 7,000 other areas across England.
Withdean Woods in numbers
The neighbourhood is known for its Edwardian homes, tree-lined streets and secluded woodland trails, enhancing its appeal.
Key statistics contributing to its ranking include:
- A 56.1% increase in house prices since 2019
- An average income of £37,400 after housing costs
- A moderate crime rate of 42.7 per 1,000 residents
- Low deprivation, measured at 59.1%
- Excellent air quality, with particulate matter (PM2.5) at 6.7µg/m³
- Nearly negligible slow broadband connections (0.9%)
- Access to 88.4 acres of green space
- 97% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a train station
According to Rightmove, house prices in Withdean have an overall average of £595,648.
Over the past year, detached properties sold for an average price of £811,319, flats sold for an average of £246,767, and semi-detached properties fetched £600,042.
Things to do in Withdean Woods
The core feature of Withdean Woods is its peaceful woodland trails. Year-round, these trails offer residents an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, whether for a casual stroll, a jog or birdwatching.
Meanwhile, Withdean Park provides a family-friendly environment with open grassy areas ideal for picnics and relaxing, playgrounds for children and panoramic views of Brighton.
For sports fanatics, the nearby Withdean Stadium holds football matches and athletic events and occasional outdoor markets and social events.
A short journey away is Brighton city centre, where locals can enjoy Brighton Pier and beachfront promenade, the historic Royal Pavilion, Brighton Marina and cultural venues like Brighton Dome.
Withdean Woods’ proximity to Brighton also means locals have easy access to independent boutiques and artisanal shops that the city is known for, as well as stylish eateries.
What locals say about Withdean Woods
Locals have praised the area for its connections to Brighton and local vibe.
In the subreddit r/Brighton, one user wrote: ‘All round Westdene [Drive] is nice. Pricey but a nice peaceful area.’
Another said: ‘I’ve lived in Westdene [Drive] for 13 years. Love it here. [Bus] 27 into town or walk to the London Road for more frequent and reliable service. I would say the nearest nice pub is the Station Hotel. Withdean sports centre etc is very good’.
And one user helpfully added: ‘Preston Park station is great for train straight into Brighton or Hove.’
Brighton’s rising appeal
Brighton as a whole saw many of its neighbourhoods rank as some of the most desirable areas in England, with Patcham West & Westdene, Fiveways, Preston Park, West Blatchington and Goldsmid East all scoring highly.
Already an affluent city, its strong transport connections to London enhance Brighton’s desirability.
Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, explained the growing appeal of Brighton over the past 25 years.
According to Cook, the city’s popularity has been boosted by improved connectivity and cultural shifts that make it increasingly fashionable.
He said: ‘You tend to find these things become self-fulfilling: affluent people are attracted to an area because of the fundamentals, so it gets a reputation as an aspirational area. It becomes a bit of a virtuous circle leading to high-value hotspots.’
Beyond quantitative factors, Brighton is widely recognised for its vibrant and inclusive community. It hosts prominent Pride events and offers a variety of independent shops, highly rated schools, and universities.
Would you like to live in Brighton?
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Yes
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But despite its accolades, public opinion on Brighton’s suitability as a place to live remains mixed.
Online forums such as Reddit’s r/AskUK highlighted contrasting views, with some users praising the city’s thriving cultural atmosphere, while others point out challenges like narrow streets and accessibility issues for disabled residents.
Discussions suggest that Brighton may be better suited for younger adults or those in their early twenties, but potentially less ideal as residents’ life priorities evolve.
One user wrote: ‘I used to live in Brighton. I don’t think it’s an easy place to live. If you’re early 20s and don’t mind living a bit like a student, it’s perfect. But as priorities change it’s such a headache.
‘Difficult parking, expensive and poor condition housing, large supermarkets difficult to get to, lots of homeless and drugs.’
Nevertheless, Withdean Woods illustrates a balance of economic stability, high quality of life, accessibility, and green space.
Positioned within one of the South East’s most dynamic cities, the neighbourhood represents a balanced urban lifestyle that many other areas in England aspire to achieve.
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