TWO Cumbrian towns have been included in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

Arnside and Kirkby Lonsdale have come out on top for a second year in a row, gaining positions in the guide’s eight best places to live in the North West category.

Altrincham was chosen as the region’s best place to live.

Judges were impressed by the efforts of the 500 plus volunteers who delivered meals, ran telephone buddy systems and sewed PPE kits during the pandemic in Arnside and Silverdale.

They also highlighted the friendly sailing club, which has been holding virtual music nights featuring local musicians, and the tasty fish and chips from the Arnside Chip Shop.

“These twin villages on the Kent estuary have some of the finest views in the country as well as an energetic, kind-hearted community,” they said.

Meanwhile, Kirkby Lonsdale impressed with the way organisations such as the Rugby Club, Queen Elizabeth School and the churches work together to help the community, as well as the variety on display in its town centre, from Dales Butchers and the Milking Parlour, to the clothes and homewares at Abrahams.

“This handsome old town justified its status as one of our very favourite locations thanks to its magnificent scenery,” said the judges.

“Brilliant high street and its prompt, well organised and inspiring response to the coronavirus.”

The Sunday Times’ expert judges behind the guide assess a wide range of factors, from schools, air quality, transport and broadband speeds to culture, green spaces and the health of the high street. 

They look for improving towns, villages or city centres, for attractive, well designed homes and locations bursting with community spirit.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2021- Northwest of England are:

•       Winner: Altrincham, Cheshire

•       Arnside and Silverdale, Lancashire

•       Bollington, Cheshire

•       Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

•       Knutsford, Cheshire

•       Liverpool

•       Manchester

•       Saddleworth, West Yorkshire

Helen Davies, The Times and Sunday Times Property Editor said: “This guide has never been so important. The pandemic has taught us just how much we rely on our homes, our communities and our surroundings.

“With working from home now common, it’s no surprise that many of us are reassessing our priorities and thinking hard about where we really want to live. 

 “Our focus for this year has been community, countryside and convenience. It hasn’t been a year for big cities or small villages.

“Instead it is small towns that have shone: big enough to have everything you need within walking distance and small enough for everyone to feel connected.”