A chocolate box village where the first game of cricket was played and is described by Location Location Location host Phil Spencer as the 'cutest he has ever seen' has topped a poll of 'best places to live' in 2025. But if you fancy a move to Redbourn in Hertfordshire you'll need some deep pockets with average house prices in the leafy spot coming it at an eye-watering £767,501. However, for that you do get an optimum blend of quality of life and strong value, says Garrington Property Finders, who conducted the research. They looked at Our data nearly 1450 cities, towns and villages across England and Wales that all score highly in at least one of five selection criteria – natural beauty, wellbeing, heritage, schools and jobs plus value for money. Scotland was also researched and Bridge of Allan was found as the 'best place to live' in the country. Redbourn took the top spot in England and Wales and it's a place that has plenty of history attached to it. Garrington Property Finder said: "The chocolate box English village has two golf courses and traces its history back to Roman times. "It was also the scene of one of the first cricket matches ever played – the village common first echoed to the sound of leather on willow in 1666. "At £767,501, a typical family home in the village costs well above the English national average and places Redbourn firmly in prime territory. "But average prices in the area have softened by 8.2% in the past year – bucking the national trend and propelling Redbourn to 15th place in the England and Wales value for money category." The village regularly wins Hertfordshire's Village of the Year award and estate agent's Ashton's said on their Facebook page: "Even Phil Spencer from Location, Location, Location called it 'one of the cutest villages I’ve ever seen!" According to HertsLive the village's most famous past resident is Michael Christopher 'Mick' Luckhurst. The former football placekicker, who played for the Atlanta Falcons, and was one of the earliest British-born NFL players. He used to present Channel 4's American Football coverage from 1987 to 1991. It's a place with an abundance of community spirit and holds regular fairs, markets and music events throughout the year. And like all good villages, it has a volunteer-led charity Redbourn in Bloom which enhances the village with public flower planting. There's plenty of historical sites to visit too. The Aubreys is an Iron Age for and Friar’s Walsh is the site of a Roman temple complex excavated by Channel 4’s Time Team in 2008. It has a common which is at the heart of the village and is where many of the annual events take place, including the Redbourn Classics Motor Show and Village Fete and, of course, cricket games. One of the most popular pubs in the village is The Cricketers which gets its name from the strong association to the sport. And if you fancy a visit there's a good cafe culture too. For a taste of an old fashioned British Pub, The Hollybush is perfect. The 16th Century public house serves drinks and food. 10 Best Prime Locations in England and Wales 2025 1. Redbourn, Hertfordshire 2. Whitburn, Tyne and Wear 3. Marple, Greater Manchester 4. St Albans, Hertfordshire 5. Chigwell, Essex 6. Rawdon, West Yorkshire 7. Gately, Greater Manchester 8. Bramhall, Greater Manchester 9. Menston, West Yorkshire 10. Bowdon, Greater Manchester For more information, visit the Garrington Property Finders website.