The seaside destination with famous Hollywood locals named one of the best places to live in the UK
BEACH GOERS
Plus, the list of winners that were named the top 11 places to live in 2025
FOR anyone looking to visit the seaside, consider this peninsula in South Wales.
After extensive research, The Times declared the Gower Peninsula, the best place to live in Wales in 2025 - and it's the perfect place for a holiday too.
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The peninsula, which covers 70 square miles across South Wales, includes Swansea, Mumbles, and the popular coves of Langland and Caswell Bay.
Of course, the biggest deal breaker, and how it earned its top spot, are the stunning beaches of Gower.
They include Rhossili Bay, which is currently Tripadvisor's top beach in Wales and has been called the "Welsh Wonder" by visitors.
Equally as impressive are Langland and Caswell Bay, which has been compared to the affluent US seaside resort, the Hamptons.
Caswell Bay is a very popular beach for families and surfers.
The nearby village of Mumbles is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you'll find the ruins of an old castle, a lighthouse, a promenade, and the Swansea Bay Rider Land Train.
The village is a great shopping spot, with a number of high-end shops, independent boutiques, and galleries.
Mumbles is also home to some big celebrities including Bonnie Tyler and Catherine Zeta Jones.
The Times said: "The judges were most impressed with cool, creative and sustainable independent businesses springing up in the pretty villages and hamlets in the wilder corners of the peninsula."
On their list of impressive businesses included Arno Surfboards, home to one of the UK's leading board-shapers.
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They also gave a shout-out to the community market at the Petallica Flower Farm which produces pesticide-free flowers and Bridge Pottery where unique glazed pieces are created.
The publication also mentioned their favourite food and drinks spots like the King Arthur hotel in Reynoldston.
Reynoldston is a place on the peninsula where you can appreciate views of the North and South Gower.
Some of the best views are from the top of the ancient ridge of Cefn Bryn.
They also mentioned the Britannia Inn at Llanmadoc and the Beach House, a Michelin-starred restaurant on the golden sands of Oxwich Bay.
Oxwich Bay Beach in the Gower Peninsula has been recognised as a top watersports destination and twice as the UK Beach of the Year.
Oxwich Bay has been named among the best beaches in the UK by Condé Nast Traveller and The Times.
Plus, the hidden Welsh beach you can only access at low tide.
The Times declared these UK destinations as the top places to live...
- Saffron Walden, Essex
- Chelmsford, Essex
- Chew Valley, Somerset
- Dundrum, Co Down
- Gower Peninsula, Swansea
- Ilkley, West Yorkshire
- Ilmington, Warwickshire
- Woolton, Liverpool
- North Berwick, East Lothian
- Petersfield, Hampshire
- Walthamstow, London
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