Lewes named seventh best place to live in Southeast in Sunday Times guide

Judges said they loved the attractive period houses, the South Downs walks on the doorstep, the useful rail service and ‘a radical edge’ found in everything from the Bonfire celebrations to the community-minded football club.

“Lewes FC is no ordinary football club. Owned by fans (with shareholders in 34 countries), it remains the only club in the world to pay its women players the same as the men, and its players have kept busy delivering shopping, collecting prescriptions and sending video messages to those in need of a boost during the pandemic,” they said.

The judges also loved the selection of independent shops on the high street – notably the brilliant Flint Owl bakery – as well as the legendary Sunday lunches at the Swan Inn, which have been available as takeaways during lockdown.

The town was the top place in Sussex featured on the list and the only place in East Sussex to be included.

It came behind Surrey Hills, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Deal in Kent, Hambleden Valley in Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight.

It was followed by Petworth in West Sussex, Sevenoaks in Kent and Winchester in Hampshire.

The average sale price for a home in Lewes is £439,000, according to the Sunday Times guide.

Average rental price is £1,100 pcm.

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.”

See the full list on the Times website here.