Milton Keynes has been chosen by the Sunday Times as one of the top 10 places to live in the South East in its famous 2026 guide.

The popular guide is released once a year, and the latest edition will go out today (March 20), shining a light on Milton Keynes.

MK has been praised by judges for becoming a ‘cultural heavyweight’, its diversity and the huge amount of art found in every corner of the city.

The Sunday Times judges explained how much the city has improved, pointing to criticism it received in its early years.

Milton Keynes has been listed in the Sunday Times top ten best places to live in the UK.

placeholder image — Milton Keynes has been listed in the Sunday Times top ten best places to live in the UK.

Judges said that in the past, “Milton Keynes was branded ugly and soulless, mocked for its roundabouts and concrete cows. Yet this city is now being recognised for its ambition, innovation, good transport connections, cultural diversity and abundance of greenery”.

Judges celebrated the wide range of sports and activities available in the city, such as indoor skydiving and skiing (on real snow).

But the panel was most impressed by the city’s bodies of water, adding that “the real stars are the lakes, rivers and canals, as well as more than 6,000 acres of parks, such as Campbell Park and the water sports wonderland that is Willen Lake”.

The team of judges visited each location to speak to locals and gain in-depth insight on the areas - including Milton Keynes.

The city was celebrated for its serene lakes, rivers and canals, as well as more than 6,000 acres of parks.

While visiting the cities, they assessed a range of factors including schools, transport, broadband speeds and mobile signal, amenities, access to high-quality green spaces and the health of the high street.

Norfolk was named the best place to live overall in the UK, and Lindfield, West Sussex, came first in the South East.

Other areas that made the top ten for this region (in no particular order) were: Amersham, Buckinghamshire; Caversham, Reading; Cookham, Berkshire; Deal, Kent; Petworth, West Sussex; Petersfield, Hampshire; St Leonards, East Sussex; Surrey Hills and Test Valley, Hampshire.

Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “These judges have travelled the length and breadth of the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast, selecting the top towns and villages, suburbs and cities for the 2026 guide.

“One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.”