You may have heard of 'best places to live' polls and league tables when it comes to an area's cheapest and most expensive locations. But not so much is made of the wholly subjective category of style.
Online store Furniturebox asked 5,000 people across the UK to list the most stylish places in the counties in which they lived. Places were ranked according to the beauty of their buildings, scenery and popularity with artists as a filming location.
The poll included panels and proposals from each and every county. And while there was plenty of choice in Warwickshire, a clear winner emerged.
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With its mile-long High Street of medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture including 150 historic buildings, shops, pubs and restaurants, some dating back to the 12th century, it was Henley-in-Arden that came out on top. The attractive market town, where ITV drama The Great Fire was once shot and where Michellin-starred chef Glynn Purnell now runs a restaurant, ranked 16th on the national list.
Taking the Warwickshire runners-up spot was Bibury, Ilmington, a firm fixture in best places to live lists, was third followed by Welford-on-Avon and Long Compton in fifth. A Furniturebox spokesperson said: "Henley is the most stylish place to live in Warwickshire.
"Any of the Warks locations voted by residents would have been worthy winners and show why it is such a stylish county, loved by artists, film-makers and tourists from all over the world. What is interesting is how many of the most stylish locations were not the most affluent places in their locality."
The spokesperson added: "Good style can be achieved whatever your budget and what marks out Warwickshire's most stylish places is how they all have a timeless quality achieved over generations by the stylish people living there.
"That same sense of style is true with furniture and having a good eye for the right piece for your home is far more important than how much money you have to spend." Lavenham in Suffolk topped the national list followed by Morpeth, Northumberland, Selborne, Hampshire, Richmond, North Yorkshire and Nuneahan Courtenay in Oxfordshire.
Furniturebox’s guide lists the top 20 in England. Here is the list:
1. Lavenham, Suffolk
2. Morpeth, Northumberland
3. Selborne, Hampshire
4. Richmond, North Yorkshire
5. Nunehan Courtenay, Oxfordshire
6. Port Isaac, Cornwall
7. Stamford, Lincolnshire
8. Arisaig, Inverness-shire
9. Ambleside, Cumbria
10. Cheddar, Somerset
11. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
12. Castle Combe, Wiltshire
13. Ludlow, Shropshire
14. Clovelly, Devon
15. Chester, Cheshire
16. Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire
17. Bewdley, Worcestershire
18. Cirencester, Gloucestershire
19. Tenterden, Kent
20. Downham, Lancashire
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