Somerset spot described as ‘rural refuge’ among UK’s best secret villages

Blagdon was featured alongside 19 others in an article from The Times discussing some of the best relatively unknown villages to live in.

Discussing the creation of the list, the publication wrote: “Where are the places few have heard of but where everybody wants to live?

“With more than 6,000 villages in the UK of every shape, size and situation, there’s a community out there for anybody looking for life on a smaller scale.

#Sunshine #Somerset #Blagdon
What a joy! pic.twitter.com/IYw9wV5AXn

— Sam 💜💜💜(SNtv) (@samneeclogg) March 30, 2024

“How do you find the one that’s right for you? This list should be a useful starting point, highlighting 20 villages that aren’t well known across the country but are always in demand among those in the know.”

The full list of the best UK secret villages to live in can be found on The Times website here.

What was said about Blagdon?

Blagdon is a small place, with a population of slightly over 1,000, but it is said to have all the “attractions of country living”.

The Times writes: “For a rural refuge from the noisy buzz of Bristol or the tourist buses of Bath, the Chew Valley should be the first port of call.

“All the attractions of country living are here, from fine local foods, festivals and fun to walks and bike rides in the Mendips and fishing or sailing on the local lakes.

“It’s hard to pick a winning village here, but for amenities alone, Blagdon is hard to beat.

“It’s best known as the HQ of the Yeo Valley organic dairy — organic is big around here — and it has a beautiful garden that’s open to visitors.

“The village also has all kinds of community groups, a pub, primary school and, in the Coffee Station, the kind of café that makes it a lot easier to leave the city behind.”

Recommended reading:

In terms of buying a property here, Bristol-based search agent Charlotte Strang said: “Money goes a bit further here than in Clifton and you’ll find larger houses with off-street parking, gardens and views.”

Most buyers here are looking to find something within commuting distance of Bristol or Bath but can expect to pay upwards of £850,000 for a family-sized detached home.

Additionally, The Times lists the average house price in Blagdon as £613,550.