Looking for a new start in the new year? How about moving to somewhere slightly more rural that’s an easy train ride in and out of Birmingham?
Droitwich Spa has been named one of Worcestershire’s best places to live in the Muddy Stilettos 2025 annual guide, taking up the top spots with Bewdley, Broadway, Alvechurch and Malvern. But it’s the affordability, train station, great schools and close motorway links that give it the thumbs up from families and commuters.
Known for its elegant lido and black and white charm, the lifestyle magazine loves this place, saying it has ‘bags of character’. It takes just 40 minutes to drive there down the M5, traffic permitting, or you can hop on a direct train from Birmingham New Street in just 35 minutes. And the fastest train to London will take you just two hours and 10 minutes.
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A spokesman for Muddy Stilettos said: “With an elegant lido, acclaimed schools and a buzzing metro-feel centre, Droitwich is bang on the money for families searching for a rural retreat with a bit of life.
“The Wychavon District often features high in best places to live charts in the UK and is consistently described as a ‘very friendly’ place. Droitwich is a picturesque town sprinkled with Georgian and Victorian houses a-plenty if you’re looking for a home with bags of character, some with stunning views over Droitwich Lido Park. With great amenities in the centre, close proximity to bigger towns each way, and scenic countryside just minutes away, Droitwich earns its des res status.
“Affordability is a big plus here. Average house prices flirt around £283,515. The majority of sales in Droitwich in 2024 were detached going for £402,211, semis £296,005, and terraced £200,285.”
The buzzy community life includes the Droitwich Food & Drink Festival in June, the Wychbold summer fete and the Droitwich Spa Santa Sleigh which ‘delivers presents and good cheer to the whole town’ at Christmas. For shopping, you’ll find all the high street faves in St Andrew’s Square but there’s independents too.
Families love the state schools, which are rated as Good by Ofsted, together with the much-regarded RGS Dodderhill nursery, co-ed prep and girls’ senior school, high-achieving King’s School and popular RGS Worcester.
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The nearby Jinney Ring Craft Centre and Churchfields Farm Shop are well worth a visit for local produce and gifts and the whole family can splash about at aqua-adventure park at Aztec Adventure just down the road.
When it comes to eating out, The Robin Hood offers log fires, country pub grazing and comfy sofas and there’s the historic Hadley Bowling Green Inn too. For a fancy meal, there’s the Michelin and Harden Guides recognised Entouraj Indian fine-dining in Cutnall Green and for a relaxing coffee and cake, try Park’s Café Bar in the town centre.