Oxfordshire has been overlooked in the freshly published Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2026 guide, which features no locations within the county boundaries.
The annual guide designates both a regional champion and an overall English winner, alongside recognition for additional areas nationwide in order to highlight Britain’s finest offerings.
Norwich in Norfolk claimed the national title this year, with Linfield in West Sussex taking the south east regional prize.
The panel characterised Linfield as a beautiful village boasting a useful and aspirational main shopping street, quality educational institutions, stylish retailers, facilities, transport links and attractions catering to romantic souls.
An additional ten south east destinations appear in the comprehensive listing, though none are situated within Oxfordshire’s borders.
This omission occurs despite Thame in South Oxfordshire securing a place among the best south east locations last year, and East Oxford receiving praise in the 2023 edition.
Helen Davies, Sunday Times editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said this guide presents a valuable chance to celebrate Britain’s finest locations. She explained it showcases communities that demonstrate urban centres can remain vibrant, areas rich in natural beauty and culture, strong connectivity and above all, a genuine sense of local community. The judging panel personally visits each featured destination and speaks with residents to understand what makes their area special. A shared quality among all chosen locations is that inhabitants feel genuine pride in calling their neighbourhood home.
Additional south east entries encompass Amersham, Caversham, Cookham and Milton Keynes.