Chances are you’ve only ever heard of Castle Cary because of its train station – it’s the closest one to the Glastonbury Festival site. So you might be surprised to learn that the town itself is actually the best place to live in England. That’s according to the “insider knowledge of England’s loveliest villages, towns and cities” of Muddy Stilettos at least.
Situated in Somerset, Castle Cary is surrounded by far more famous towns like Wells, Frome, Glastonbury, the list goes on – so what’s this market town got that its neighbours haven’t? Let’s dig into how this secluded, demure town became the hottest property location in England.
Why move to Castle Cary?
First of all, Castle Cary is very pretty – I mean, where isn’t in Somerset? At its heart sits the 18th-century Market House, but you’ll find historic buildings around every corner from the Roundhouse lock-up to the thatched George Hotel. Then, further out, is the award-winning country estate, The Newt in Somerset, complete with awe-inspiring woodland and gardens.
Fancy a spot of shopping? Castle Cary is chock-full of independent shops for living out your country fantasies. With a bookshop, deli, wine shop, butchers, and (more than one) antiques shop, you’ll hardly miss living in the big city. Every Tuesday, Castle Cary’s street market sells everything from plants to clothes, fish to eggs, jams, cheese and cakes too. This is The Good Life™.
For something to eat at brunch, stop by the Australian-style café, Burnt Honey, for everything from poached eggs to acai bowls. And in the evenings? Well, you might consider travelling further afield to check out Bruton’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Osip.; the 17th-century local The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe; or former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant, Ayesha Kalaji’s Queen of Cups in Glastonbury.
Beyond food and shopping, Castle Cary also boasts a bounty of countryside strolls, like the Macmillan Way, the Monarch’s Way and the Leland Trail. And then there’s… Okay, so this isn’t London! There isn’t an endless supply of activities to entertain our TikTok-addled brains. Castle Cary is designed for a quieter way of life. Maybe that’s why Muddy Stilettos readers voted it the best place to live in England?
How do I get there from London?
Blessed with that legendary train station, there’s a regular train leaving Paddington for Plymouth that stops at Castle Cary. And, it only takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to get there – ideal if you still need to commute into the Big Smoke regularly. Otherwise, you’re looking at a 3-hour drive, even without traffic. The average house in Castle Casy is £402,285 too, which is quite a significant drop from London at £705,835.
To see Muddy Stilettos’ Top 260 Best Places to Live in 2024 head here.
