THE UK’s most-desirable areas and picturesque hotspots have been revealed – is your favourite location on the list?
Some of the coolest neighbourhoods in the country have been identified ranging from hip urban areas to beautiful locations with jaw-dropping scenery.
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The Sunday Times has revealed what it considers to be the most desirable postcodes, where living in one could see the value of your house rise by thousands of pounds.
The list doesn’t just cover the hipper-than-thou inner-city areas but offers something for everyone from those looking for some fast-paced urban living to those wanting a quieter pace of life amongst some stunning scenery.
S38 – Kelham Island, Sheffield
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Located just a stone’s throw away from the centre of Sheffield this area could easily give the likes of London’s Hackney Wick and Spitalfields a run for their money – and no doubt at a much cheaper price.
The man-made island was built during the industrial revolution and now comprises posh flats and first-rate pubs – the Kelham Island Tavern was named CAMRA’S pub of the year recently.
It also boasts a thriving nightlife and is a haven for foodies.
The Cutlery Works, Sheffield’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, can be found here, along with uber-cool Yellow Works where you can catch the latest gig where the likes of the Artic Monkeys and Jarvis Cocker have recorded tracks.
NR25 – Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
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This Norfolk coastal site is a hidden little gem where singer James Blunt spent part of his childhood.
It’s not hard to see why either, boasting unspoilt beaches, cosy pubs and pretty, cobbled streets.
If that wasn’t enough, it’s home to a windmill which dates back to the 18th-century and has its own smokehouse.
It’s also a big attraction for foodies, featuring a number of posh picnic delis.
Locals can enjoy a picturesque walk along the saltmarshes and then revive themselves with a pint in the George & Drago pub.
Anyone wanting to venture further afield can take a trip to the nearby village of Stiffkey.
E10 – Leyton, London
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The East London address is currently one of the most sort after in the capital.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a café in one of London’s most lively and creative areas.
It also boasts shops and fairs selling local art and independent record stores.
There are also regular exhibitions and events at the Leyton Village Studios and residents can also enjoy the nearby London Olympic Park for some relaxation.
Anyone feeling hungry can head down to Marmelo’s and All You Read is Love, is a charming bookshop-cum-café.
EH39 – North Berwick, East Lothian
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North Berwick might be top of the list for many people as it offers the tranquil setting of living by the sea but is just a short journey away from Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
Locals can be enjoying North Berwick’s sandy beach and charming beach huts in the morning and in the afternoon be in the heart of the city.
The impressive Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth can be seen from the bay, which has become a breeding ground for gannets, while the surrounding sea provides plenty of food for the local pubs and restaurants.
Astronomy lovers might want to make it a destination too, as glimpses of the northern lights can be seen on nearby dark coastal spots.
BT48 – Derry, Northern Ireland
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The second city in Northern Ireland is crammed full with culture plus the benefit of being one of the cheapest cities in the UK to get on the property ladder.
The TV series Derry Girls certainly put the city on the map, and Badgers Bar even features a huge mural to the show.
There’s live music performed in Peadar O’Donnell’s and locals can feast at Pykes’n’Pommes, a burger bar in a converted shipping container.
DL6 – Potto, North Yorkshire
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Anyone wanting to get away from the hurly-burly of city life should look no further than this North Yorkshire village.
Potto offers some stunning scenery, being situated between the county’s rolling green hills on the edge of the North York Moors.
The village only has some 120 houses, so you can be guaranteed you’ll soon become firm friends with your neighbours.
While you can be guaranteed the quiet life, the nearby towns of Stokesley and Northallerton offer plenty of things to keep you entertained.
Also worth of mention:
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, NE64, in Northumberland gets an honourable mention thanks to its house value-boosting postcode, as does East Sussex’s Pett Level, TN35, whose beach is the location for David Bowie’s Ashes to Ashes video.
For those who want to be where it’s all happening should head to central Glasgow, G1, which is billed has having some of the UK’s best nightlife.
Similarly, Monmouth, NP25, is the place to go for the hipster wanting to escape the city.
Kendal, LA9, in Cumbria, also gets a mention as is sits at the gateway of the Lake District national park.
It has the buzz of a small town with the famous lakes and Windermere peaks right on your doorstep.
