Lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos has released its latest Top 300 Places to Live guide for 2026, ranking the most desirable towns and villages across 30 counties in the UK.
Experts assessed everything from schools and shops to culture and community spirit to determine the top 10 spots in each region — before the public voted for their overall favourites.
While Nottinghamshire didn’t take the national crown (that honour went to Dursley in Gloucestershire), the county still shines with some stunning contenders for the good life.
Here are the 10 best places to live or move to in Nottinghamshire in 2026, according to Muddy Stilettos — and the photos show exactly why they deserve a spot on your list.
1. Southwell
Muddy Stilettos said: "Picture a high street teeming with Muddy Award-winning indies, a glut of great restaurants, fantastic local schools and some fab music festivals, right on your doorstep. Plus for office commuters and urban addicts, it’s only a short drive right to the centre of Nottingham." A good time to buy in popular Southwell? The average house price over the past year is £362,519, 20 per cent down on the previous year. Photo: Muddy Stilettos
2. West Bridgford
Muddy Stilettos said: This leafy ‘burb is only three miles away from the city, making it an excellent commuter town on foot or via brilliant transport links. Edwardian homes with gardens, all the mod cons of city life and a good schools make it a hit with families, plus there’s an excellent foodie and shop offering all ready to enjoy. West Bridgford is very much the home of sports. On your doorstep, there’s Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Notts County and Nottingham Forest football grounds, and the National Watersports Centre in nearby Holme Pierrepont." Properties in West Bridgford cost an average price of £384,884 over the past year. That’s similar to the previous year and 8% up on the 2020 peak. | John Sutton Photo: John Sutton
3. Beeston
Muddy Stilettos said: "Pretty Victorian terrace houses, family-friendly fun, café WFH culture, and a cool vibe from a strong student population. This town has a charming bee theme (based on incorrect assumption about the etymology of the name, but we’ll let them have it). The bee is the town council’s emblem with beehives carved into the town hall. Street furniture dotted around High Road is decorated in black and gold with a bee symbol and there’s also a sculpture of a man sitting next to a beehive, popularly known as the ‘Bee-man’. We’re buzzing about the place (sorry, couldn’t resist)." Properties in Beeston had an overall average price of £297,604 over the last year – 5% up on the previous year. Photo: Muddy Stilettos
4. Ruddington
Want all the benefits of a big city on the doorstep, wrapped up in a vibrant rural village experience? Look no further. Ruddington’s gorgeous village green is the beating heart of the village, hosting vibrant monthly markets and cool community events. There are rural yomps a-plenty in Rushcliffe Country Park, enough café culture to keep up with the local goss and the bright lights of Nottingham’s cultural offerings are just a few miles away. It’s mainly detached places that change hands here, selling for an average price of £512,636. When you look at all properties that sold in the last year, the average price was £353,157 – 4% down on the previous year. | John Sutton