The best places to live around the UK have been revealed by a new survey. The Sunday Times Best Places to Live is an annual guide which considers data on things like crime rates, life expectancy and school performance, as well as other factors such as culture, food quality, the availability of green spaces and flood risk

The best place to live in the East of England according to the Sunday Times judges is Orford in Suffolk. The small but characterful town is gaining a reputation as a foodie haven with edible delights like an artisan bakery, a fishmonger and weekly produce market. The town also has a good primary school, beautiful scenery (Orford is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and lots to do in the shape of regular film nights and concerts.

Kingham in Oxfordshire, home to Blur bassist Alex James, is the best place to live in the South East. The Cotswold village has many fancy farm shops, two high-quality gastro pubs and is known as a destination for food lovers. Residents also enjoy an outstanding primary school and have access to a mainline station with trains to London Paddington taking 90 minutes.

Seaside town Ballycastle in Country Antrim is the best place to live in Northern Ireland according to the new guide. The Sunday Times judges were impressed by the selection of traditional shops that ‘hark back to the golden age of the high street’. The area boasts great local seafood and a lively social calendar including a youth tennis tournament and Ould Lammas Fair. Detached house prices start from £130,000 and no more than a handful ever go for more than £300,000.

The Sunday Times judges think the best place to live in the Midlands is Ledbury, in Herefordshire, as nowhere does community better. The market town is surrounded by lush farmland, boasts interesting architecture in the form of medieval and Tudor buildings and friendly locals. Residents are resistant to supermarket chains, preferring to keep their high street full of independent shopkeepers.

Fashionable Fitzrovia is deemed the best place to live in the capital by The Sunday Times judges. Once known for its student vibe, the area has acquired a bit of style, with the Riding House Café, Berners Tavern and Percy & Founders leading the shift. The Crossrail station nearby at Tottenham Court Road is also driving a development frenzy in the area. However buying a home in the area will cost at least £750,000.

The best place to live in Scotland is Stockbridge, in Edinburgh. Residents say the area has the best coffee (Sprio & Co), best food shops (George Bower the butcher, Mellis the cheesemonger) and even the best charity shops. The area also ticked boxes for good schools, plenty of green space and friendliness of locals. Judges commented that the area feels like a village within Scotland’s capital.

The best place to live in Wales is Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan. The small seaside resort is popular with young families that are keen on getting into top schools Stanwell and Westbourne. Residents also enjoy the shopping centre which judges comment has the feel of a trendy spa town with butchers, bakers, grocers, bars and coffee shops. It's esplanade has also been voted most treasured landmark in a poll by National Trust Wales.

The Sunday Times guide has dubbed Whalley in Lancashire as the best place to live in the North West. Judges were impressed with the way the community pulled together after the Boxing Day floods last year. The area is still recovering but residents think things will get back to normal by the summer. The area also has excellent schools and a great high street. A terraced house in the area starts from around £225,000.

Falmouth in Cornwall has been named the best place to live in the South West for another year. Judges were impressed with the balance of rural and urban life with the beaches and open countryside as well as thriving new industries in creative and digital and marine and renewable.

The top location to live in the North East of England is Harrogate in North Yorkshire. The area is brimming with independent cafes and restaurants while the station has been given a £1.2 million facelift The area also has plenty of green spaces, with the Dales just minutes away and a range of outstanding state secondary schools including Harrogate Grammar, St John Fisher, St Aiden’s and Rossett.

Winchester, in Hampshire, has been crowned the best city to live in the UK according to the Sunday Times guide. Judges praised its outdoor spaces, community spirit, good transport links, excellent schools, and emerging foodie scene. Sunday Times home editor Helen Davies said: "It offers a tasty slice of authentic history, with great transport links and fine schools. It also has an irresistible mix of food, festivals and feel-good factor."