Inside little-known UK town that is so nice 'it's like living on holiday'

24 February 2024 , 10:53

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Newport's High Street, where locals visit often (Image: No credit)

A little-known town in the West Midlands is said to be so lovely, locals believe living there feels like you're on holiday.

Just 45 minutes from Birmingham, nestled in the green countryside, is Newport - a charming market town considered one of the nicest places to live in the West Midlands. With its beautiful high street, unique shops and variety of pubs, residents believe there are few better places to call home.

Newport, home to 11,387 people, is situated in Shropshire, seven miles north of Telford and 35 northwest of Birmingham, near the Staffordshire border. Not only is the town highly-rated, but it's also surrounded by lots of green spaces, offering plenty of scenic walks including The Wrekin.

In 2024, Newport was ranked as the third nicest place to live in the West Midlands and 160th in England and Wales (out of 1,429 places), according to a study by Garrington Property Finders. Here, the average family home costs £403,365, a rise of 2.7% in 12 months. Both residents and businesses in Newport agreed with the survey results, saying it's the people that make Newport special.

Danielle Woodhouse, 36, who used to live in Wolverhampton, shared with Birmingham Live: "I moved here a year and a half ago, it's wonderful. I have lived in other places, Manchester, Australia, South Korea - it just feels nice here, it's the people. I've seen lads and kids going out litter-picking, charity groups going out, volunteer groups doing the flowers down the high street. I think that's the main thing, the people keep it nice."

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Danielle Woodhouse, 36, moved to the town in 2022 (No credit)

Judith Hardman, 64, was enjoying a walk with her daughter and their dog Moose. She moved from Rochdale in Greater Manchester to Newport, which is 82 miles away. Ms Hardman explained: "We have just moved from Manchester. It is very friendly, there are a lot of independent shops which we didn't have up there."

"Initially (we moved) because my daughter lives down here. We used to live in Rochdale, it was not very nice, there was a lot of crime, and we were always broken into. The crime rate is a lot lower here."

"During lockdown, we didn't get to see (our family). We decided to move down here in case - God forbid - it happens again."

She also said: "We like to support the local traders if we can. There are a lot of community events here, the carnival, there's a craft fayre every other month. It's a thriving little town. There are good pubs here, too."

Residents say high street is really nice and big, with old black-and-white buildings, a stone thing to look at, an old church, pretty flowers, some pubs like The Pheasant and Shakespeare Inn, and lots of little shops you won't find anywhere else.

Oh sew bluesky, an independent shop located on Newport's High Street (No credit)

Lyne Looker-Revell, who runs Objects and Dogby, said: "I love Newport, we came here for the schools originally. Since then, we have never looked back, we've been here about six or seven years. Originally I'm from Wolverhampton, my mum and dad lived there. I managed to convince them to leave."

She also said: "The best thing about Newport is, it is not too big, it is not too small. The (university) students help to keep it alive, as well. I don't think we would have the High Street we would have if it wasn't for them. I love Newport, I think it's friendly. You get lots of people moan about it, I think if they went to move (elsewhere), they would realise the reality of life."

Michelle Walsh, who has a shop called Oh Sew Bluesky with Sara Brettle, sells stuff for homes and a special paint. She said: "I live in Codsall, a 25 minute's journey from here. I absolutely love it here. I know my business partner wants to move here."

"The high street is so pretty. And we're so lucky to be by a church. My son said to me, 'mum, it has got that holiday feel here'. The people are super friendly. The journey, it is a pleasure to come to work. I can't knock it, not one thing. Actually, I would say the parking, but you will get that everywhere."

Lyne Looker-Revell, who runs Objects and Dogby (No credit)

Several folks mentioned that Newport is getting bigger because more houses are being built, and they're worried about whether there will be enough places like schools and doctors for everyone. Mr Smith, who is 71 years old, shared: "Newport is a nice place in general. The people, the buildings. Whatever shop you go in, you always get a smile. It's getting bigger. Everybody used to know everybody but more people are moving into the area."

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A lady who works at a pub in town said: "Newport is one of the best towns. I have lived here for seven years, I love it. There is nothing like it. It has a massive high street, it's so wide and looks so pretty. Newport in Bloom has done their job, it looks amazing with all of the flowers out. Newport has got a good community."

"The owners have been here for two years, the pub is doing really well, it is very popular. There's something going on every night."

She also said: "It's growing rapidly as well, there is a lot of housebuilding. For residents, it's like will there be enough schools and doctors? One of the estates has nearly 700 houses. You think if that's the case, with one child per house?"

Newport's High Street (No credit)

Dawn Tomlinson, who runs The Kabin selling furniture and unique items, loves her town. She said: "I definitely agree with the survey. The people here are friendly, there's a variety of shops. It's just quaint."

But even in this lovely place, she shared some surprising news: "There was a drugs factory around the corner in one of the buildings, a cannabis farm. We could do with a few more policemen, but that's here or there. I just love it here, I've been here for 15 years. The people are brilliant."

Newport is a charming spot in Telford and Wrekin with lots to offer like a big Waitrose, an Aldi, sports clubs, schools, and a pretty canal in the town centre.

Although Newport doesn't have its own train station, buses can take you to nearby Telford where you can catch a train. Plus, it's not far from the motorway, just a short drive to the M54.

Two places in the West Midlands did even better than Newport in a recent ranking: Broseley got second place regionally and Knowle and Dorridge were number one in the West Midlands. If you want to see all the results of the study, just click here.

Jamie Brassington