The Daily Telegraph has published a list of what it calls Britain's 'poshest' villages - and five of them are in Wales.
Based on a wide range of factors, from demand for housing to schools to proximity to cities as well as equal green space, the newspaper has published a list of the UK's most 'well-to-do' hotspots.
The list of the 54 poshest UK villages has been compiled from exclusive data from Savills Estate Agents.
READ MORE: The towns named the best places to live in Wales in 2021
The data showed that the villages featured are so sought after that people are spending thousands on rent in high-end country markets while they wait for a property to become available in their chosen area so as to be chain-free when properties in the desirable villages become availabl
Around 60% of estate agents working for Savills across the country reported a rise in demand for rental homes in the most desirable countryside locations during the pandemic. And 57 per cent said that the demand was coming from those who were unable to buy where they wanted.
So what is it about these villages that drives such demand? The traditional criteria still apply, says Frances Clacy, analyst at Savills. “People want villages that have a bit of everything, from schools to stunning countryside, with accessibility to cities and transport infrastructure,” she says.
"Less well-trumpeted factors count too, such as the main road through the village should only lead to other villages,” Clacy adds.
The list covers most corners of the UK picking out villages that can claim to offer all the elements that make village life so special. The five Welsh villages in the list are Rowen in Conwy, Llanarmon-yn-Iâl in Denbighshire, Shirenewton in Monmouthshire, Newgale and Roch in Pembrokeshire and Oxwich in Gower.
Oxwich, Swansea
Oxwich is a village on the Gower Peninsula, in the city and county of Swansea. Oxwich is part of the small community of Penrice which extends from the village of Horton to Oxwich Bay,. In the 2001 census the tiny village recorded a population of 454 inhabitants.
Just 11 miles from Swansea, the Oxwich offers the perfect balance of village life while being close to city life.
Oxwich Bay is one of Gower’s most visited beaches, and forms part of Oxwich National Nature Reserve. The reserve is made up of a bewitching mix of beach, sand dunes, lakes, woodlands, cliffs and salt and freshwater marshes. Natural Resources Wales have highlighted the rarity of having so many different habitats in such a relatively small area in the UK.
The village is also steeped in history. The medieval church of St Illtyd has 6th-century origins and is shrouded in myth, owing to a half-man, half-horse creature that was said to stride among the gravestones.
The village has traditional fishermen’s cottages (some thatched), a post office and the Oxwich Bay hotel - a luxury hotel and wedding destination.
In deciding what qualifies the village to be part of the list, the telegraph noted the 'posh' appeal of it being a medieval town, its 6th century church, the Oxwich Bay Hotel and the wildlife at Oxwich Natural Nature Reserve.
The average house price in the area is £309,519.
Shirenewton, Monmouthshire
Shirenewton is the biggest of three villages – the others being Mynydd-bach and Earlswood – in between the Usk and Wye valleys in the Monmouthshire hills, with views that stretch down to the Severn Estuary.
“It has a sense of community that rivals other villages,” Mike Watkins, partner at Mr and Mrs Clarke estate agents told The Telegraph.
“You make friends mainly through the dog-walkers of the village, and at the crossroads of the three villages.”
It is famous for its Christingle service, to which two ladies bring real donkeys, adds Watkins. There is a primary school, pubs, and yoga in the Church Rooms.
The village is located 3 miles due west of Chepstow, and stands around 500 feet (154 m) above sea level. It also has extensive views of the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel. The population of the village and the conjoined village of Mynydd-bach was 657 in 2011.
The newspaper said its appeal was primarily down to the views of the Severn Estuary, famous Christingle service and it's ypga studio in the church rooms.
The average house price in the area is £474,775.
Newgale and Roch, Pembrokeshire
If a seaside village is what you're after, then you'd struggle to find one better than Newgale beach and nearby Roch.
Newgale Beach is a two-mile sandy stretch with caves and coves at one end. It’s popular with surfers, kitesurfers and sea anglers. There’s a smattering of buildings, including the Duke of Edinburgh Inn, but the main village is Roch, just inland.
The Puffin Shuttle coastal bus service runs to St David’s and Haverfordwest, while the village itself has a pub, a shop, a fish and chip shop, and Mo’s Dressed Crab & Lobster take-out.
The most prominent feature of Roch is its castle. At the time of its construction, Roch Castle served as one of a group of border strongholds that fortified anglicised Wales from the independent Welsh to the North, guarding the Flemish settlers who inhabited the surrounding area. It also served as a lookout for the bay of St Brides to ward off invasions from the sea.
In February 1644, the castle was attacked by Cromwell’s troops under the command of Colonel Roland Laugharne. After a fierce siege, the castle was surrendered on February 17th, having been badly damaged by cannon and also by fire.
Today the castle has been meticulously restored to provide luxury accommodation.
Adding it to the list, the Telegraph said it's 'posh' appeal was compounded by its two-mile sandy beach and caves and great sea food.
The average house price in the area is £219,555.
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Rowen, Conwy
Nestled between the mountains, Rowen on the western slopes of the Conwy valley is picturesque village just 25 minutes from Snowdonia.
The small, pretty, suburb boasts all the amenities of village life while still only being five miles from larger Conwy. It is also possible to travel directly to London and Manchester with regular trains from Llandudno Junction.
Judging its posh appeal, the Telegraph said its proximity to Snowdonia National Park, its local amenities and its riverbanks, farmland and hillside secured its place on the list.
The average house price in the area is £363,214, well above the national average.
Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Denbighshire
Llanarmon-yn-Iâl is a friendly village deep in the Clwydian Range. Llanarmon-yn-Iâl has a community-run shop and community-owned pub – the Raven Inn – which hosts live music and quizzes and takeaway curry nights. There’s a choir and a local panto.
The village is just a mile off the Offa’s Dyke Path, which brings visitors to the village. For those who don't want to abandon the hustle and bustle of larger towns, the village is just six miles away from Mold.
In the 2011 census, the population of this ward was 2,456, with the community population being 1062.
Adding the village to the list, the newspaper said it's main appeal was the community run shop, friendly atmosphere and proximity to Offa's Dyke Path.
The average house price in the area is £290,118.
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