The top 10 places to live in Wiltshire have been listed in a new ranking of the country’s best destinations.
Each year lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos picks out the top 10 places to live in counties around the country, with 300 UK towns and villages making this year’s final cut.
Last year Malmesbury was ranked as the best town in Wiltshire but there are multiple newcomers to the 2025 edition’s top 10.
The magazine’s editors base their annual list on a range of factors including the best schools, shopping, and pubs.
The full list for Wiltshire can be found below.
Bradford on Avon
Bradford on Avon was described by Muddy Stilettos as a “gorgeous historic town packed with fairytale cottages” but received praise for more than its appearance.
The magazine also labelled the town a “nirvana for indie shops and eateries”, with The Bunch of Grapes bar singled out for praise.
Chippenham
Chippenham makes the cut in this year’s list thanks to its “excellent schools and great facilities,” and the fact it is surrounded by some of Wiltshire’s prettiest villages.
The town centre itself is full of award-winning venues, including gourmet burger restaurant Coq, Coffee on the Corner, and The Cellar bar.
Corsham
Muddy Stilettos claims Corsham is “just as pretty as Bath but significantly more affordable”, with the town’s Georgian buildings, cobbled streets, and parkland getting some recognition.
The town is often on our screens, having featured in Poldark and the new series of Rivals, but also has “an ever-evolving glut of indies.”
Devizes
The judges picked out the market town of Devizes thanks to its “indie shops and buzzy festival scene”, as well as its “unfailingly friendly” inhabitants.
Popular town centre venues like The Peppermill and The Black Swan Inn were listed among the best places to eat in the area.
Malmesbury
Malmesbury took top spot in last year’s Wiltshire rankings and once again features, this time being described as a “buzzing market town with a packed music and arts calendar.”
Muddy Stilettos was particularly impressed with its array of independent shops, and the presence of The Bell Inn, England’s oldest hotel.
Marlborough
For Muddy Stilettos, one of the benefits of Marlborough is its famous former residents, like Pete Doherty and the Princess of Wales, who attended Marlborough College.
But the town itself is also a big attraction, with a wide range of places to eat including Rick Stein’s fish restaurant and entertainment venues like The Parade Cinema.
Warminster
Warminster is described as “a haven for families” and is surrounded by “some of Wiltshire’s prettiest countryside”.
Attractions like Westbury White Horse, Longleat Estate, Shearwater, Stourhead and Cranborne Chase AONB are all on the doorstep making the town perfect for “outdoorsy types.”
Salisbury
Wiltshire’s only city was labelled as a place where “medieval splendour meets contemporary cool”.
As well as the attraction of the cathedral and the city’s festivals and markets, Muddy Stilettos points out Salisbury is just a short drive from the world-famous Stonehenge.
Sherston
One of just two villages in the list, Sherston is described as a “picture perfect Cotswolds village with a cracking pub, vibrant social calendar and community spirit”.
The Rattlebone Inn is singled out for praise, while the Muddy Stilettos team are also fans of The Angel, a 17th century inn turned into a cafe.
Tisbury
Rounding out Wiltshire’s top 10 places to live is Tisbury, a place for country life for “the smart”, according to Muddy Stilettos.
The village has a station, a range of independent shops, pubs, cafes, and even an art gallery.
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