Polstead near Hadleigh has been picked out by the Sunday Times judges among the Best Place to Live in the East of England in an annual guide

Although Saffron Walden was picked as top choice, Polstead in the Dedham Vale was given a special mention.

Judges described Polstead as 'a picture of pastoral innocence with a lively and friendly community' as part of its summing up.

The full citation read: "Dedham Vale, Suffolk For anyone who wants to live close to nature while remaining within range of the capital, Dedham Vale is the perfect option.

"This is prime – and fiercely protected – countryside for every level of activity, from birdwatching and walking to running, cycling and messing about in boats on the Stour. Our favourite village, Polstead, is a picture of pastoral innocence with a lively and friendly community. " 

Saffron Walden in Essex was named as the Best Place to Live in the East of England by judges, with Felixstowe in Suffolk also highly rated.

Judges described Old Felixstowe as friendlier and cheaper than the more favoured resorts further up the Suffolk coast, and it has one of only two blue flag beaches in the county. Away from the port, it's beautiful, too -- especially around the tiny hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry. A vast programme of regeneration has paid dividends.  

Six other locations in the East of England are featured in the comprehensive guide. Published by The Sunday Times, it includes 72 locations across the UK released online this morning

An abridged version will be published as a magazine supplement on Sunday.  

The Sunday Times judges praised Saffron Walden for its excellent schools, country feel, busy high street and cafe scene, as well as its convenient location for commuters to both Cambridge and London.  

"Always beautiful, this historic market town is now adding a touch of youthful vigour to its highbrow credentials. Young families are moving in, attracted in part by the excellent schools and it's as dog-friendly as it is family-friendly. Cool new bars, shops and restaurants are opening, with local produce to the fore, and the market is a highlight of the week." 

Helen Davies, the editor of Best Places to Live 2023, said: "When times are tough, where we live matters more than ever. Attractive surroundings, good neighbours and a comfortable home are the best defences when the stresses of modern life seem overwhelming. 

"This guide is a celebration of towns, cities and villages that are each a fantastic place to live in 2023 from Orkney to Felixstowe, the Chew Valley to Manchester city centre. Whether you're downsizing, trading up or getting onto the property ladder, there will be somewhere to suit you." 

Wadhurst in East Sussex was named the overall winner of Best Places to Live. It was praised by judges for its "good schools, convenient transport connections, an amazingly well-stocked high street and stunning scenery". They said that it offers "pretty much everything needed for modern life in miniature". 

Polstead chapel was on market with Chapman Stickles

This year's guide – the 11th – features more new entries than ever before. The Sunday Times' expert judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street.  

The sponsor, Halifax, has provided the average house price for each location. Kim Kinnaird, the director of Halifax Mortgages, said: "At Halifax, we know it's where you live that really makes somewhere feel like 'home'. What people look for when choosing where to live is a very personal choice. We know that the housing market can sometimes feel daunting when there are so many locations and things to consider. But looking at these fantastic locations is a great start, with options for different budgets and family situations, alongside an exciting blend of urban and rural living." 

Previous winners of the Best Places to Live in Britain title are: Stamford, Lincolnshire (2013); Skipton, North Yorkshire (2014); Newnham, Cambridge (2015); Winchester, Hampshire (2016); Bristol (2017), York (2018), Salisbury, Wiltshire (2019), Altrincham, Cheshire (2020) Stroud, Gloucestershire (2021) and Ilkley, West Yorkshire (2022).  

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2023: East of England:  

• Winner: Saffron Walden, Essex "Always beautiful, this historic market town is now adding a touch of youthful vigour to its highbrow credentials. Young families are moving in, attracted in part by the excellent schools and it's as dog-friendly as it is family-friendly. Cool new bars, shops and restaurants are opening, with local produce to the fore, and the market is a highlight of the week." 
•  Dedham Vale, Suffolk For anyone who wants to live close to nature while remaining within range of the capital, Dedham Vale is the perfect option. This is prime – and fiercely protected – countryside for every level of activity, from birdwatching and walking to running, cycling and messing about in boats on the Stour. Our favourite village, Polstead, is a picture of pastoral innocence with a lively and friendly community.  
• Felixstowe, Suffolk Old Felixstowe is friendlier and cheaper than the more favoured resorts further up the Suffolk coast, and it has one of only two blue flag beaches in the county. Away from the port, it's beautiful, too -- especially around the tiny hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry. A vast programme of regeneration has paid dividends.  
• Aylsham, Norfolk Aylsham is the perfect advert for small-town living. It's perfectly placed for the best of Norfolk, with the coast, the Broads and Norwich all within easy reach. With its excellent butcher and baker, the town centre has all you need and the slow food festival is just one way that a lively community shows its commitment to sustainability and living well. 
• Bourn, Cambridgeshire A combination of community spirit and traditional picturesque backdrop of neat cottages, and ancient windmill and babbling brook make this village stand out from the crowd, along with a thriving high street that meets daily needs. 
• Buckhurst Hill, Essex Its hair salons and nail bars mark out Buckhurst Hill as one of the corners of Towie's Golden Triangle, but the star attraction is the wild expanse of Epping Forest. There are plenty of sports clubs, and the town shows its caring side through a new community pantry and a Memory Café for people living with dementia and their carers. 
• Norwich Norwich is a regular fixture in our Best Places to Live series. It's the UK's most complete medieval city which also boasts bold modern architecture, and it's a creative, artistic and literary powerhouse. Most impressive is its ability to move with the times, with a commitment to sustainability on show in its cycleways and an app that allows people to hire pedal bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.