A stunning Kent town has been crowned the county’s best place to live in 2025 (Image: Moonstone Images via Getty Images)
A stunning Kent town has been crowned the county’s best place to live in 2025, according to polling data. Lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos asked its readers to vote for their favourite local village, town or city to put down roots as part of its Top 300 Places to Live guide. Sevenoaks has taken the top spot, praised for its “stunning countryside, strong commuting links, social scene and ideal location”. The town triumphed over nine other contenders from across Kent.
Tunbridge Wells came in second place, with Folkestone in third, Faversham in fourth, and Tankerton completing the top five. Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “When people move home, they’re searching for more than just a house, they want to find a new lifestyle that works for them.
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A vibrant selection of businesses can be found in the High Street in Sevenoaks (Image: Getty Images/Moonstone Images/iStock)
“Our exclusive Reader Vote gives them a fresh perspective that can make their search easier. It’s hard to be confident on whether a location is the right place for you, but we’ve built our reputation on having first-hand knowledge on the in-the-know places to live and places to go.
“This Reader Vote gives a truly independent view on the towns and villages with the most popular postcodes, schools, restaurants and amenities.”
From the Sevenoaks Summer Festival to the Sevenoaks Literary Festival, there is a genuine vitality throughout the town, alongside a strong sense of community. You’ll discover elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture, a wealth of shops and restaurants, plus a considerably more refined atmosphere than some of its neighbouring areas, reports Kent Live.
The streets of this ancient market town are typically alive with foot traffic, partly due to its well-regarded educational institutions, and also because it boasts town centre supermarkets that many comparable locations simply cannot offer.
Solitary deer in Knole Park, Sevenoaks, Kent (Image: Getty Images/Moment RF/2010 Jhy Turley)
Indeed, there is a Waitrose right on the High Street – something that leaves Tunbridge Wells residents rather envious, as they must make do with a petrol station branch. There is also an M&S Food store to boot.
It ranks among Kent’s most affluent and sought-after areas, undeniably upmarket given its grand homes, prosperous rural surroundings, and wealth of independent schools. According to Rightmove, the average house price last year reached £853,071.
The majority of properties sold were detached homes, commanding an average of – brace yourself – £1,482,262. Bear in mind that this is the average figure, not the ceiling price.
Flats sold for an average of £374,494, while semi-detached properties achieved £724,163.
Half-timbered Tudor style house on Kippington Road near Sevenoaks Railway Station (Image: Alphotographic via Getty Images)
As Visit Sevenoaks District describes it, “with its extraordinary landscapes, bucolic towns and villages old as time” and the chance to savour the Garden of England’s finest food and drink, “you’d never guess it’s just outside Greater London”. Here’s what Muddy Stilettos had to say about Sevenoaks: “In Kent, the small, but perfectly formed town of Sevenoaks, won top spot for its stunning countryside, strong commuting links, social scene and ideal location, location, location. From the Sevenoaks Summer Festival to the Sevenoaks Literary Festival, there’s a buzz about town and a strong community spirit.
“There are good schools galore, with a wide choice of excellent independent options nearby, along with outstanding state primary and secondary/grammar schools, making Sevenoaks a great location for families. The average house price is costly at £853,071 (over the past year), but for those living in the area the results of the Best Places to Live vote shows that locals think it’s worth it!”
London Road in Sevenoaks, Kent (Image: Moonstone Images via Getty Images)
Covering everything from towns to villages, hamlets to commuter hubs, each of the initial 300 locations underwent thorough independent assessment and scrutiny by Muddy’s specialist editorial panel, before over 30,500 readers submitted their votes. The results revealed strong appreciation for each area’s community atmosphere, quality of educational provision, restaurant and shopping facilities, cultural attractions, and residents’ overall satisfaction with their surrounding environment.
Top 10 most beloved towns and villages across Kent:
- Sevenoaks
- Tunbridge Wells
- Folkestone
- Faversham
- Tankerton
- Cranbrook
- Ramsgate
- West Malling
- Penshurst
- Benenden
