A charming and historic town under an hour’s drive from Bristol has been crowned one of the UK’s coolest places to live. The Times has curated a list showcasing the ‘coolest’ postcodes, featuring an eclectic mix of historic towns, fishing villages, and vibrant party islands.
The list was based on factors such as crime rates, education standards, employment opportunities, environmental quality, and lifestyle. A total of 11 postcodes were named as the best in the UK.
Speaking about Newnham, in Gloucestershire, The Times said: “This small town on the banks of the River Severn is emerging as one to watch for foodies in the know. Obviously there’s lots and lots to eat.
“Think pastries and cake at the George Community Hub or a long, laid-back lunch at Post, a bottle shop and restaurant from Fred Page, a Marle at Heckfield Place alumnus who cooks up a seasonal menu using ingredients such as pork from the nearby Plump Hill Farm.
“You’re in the West Country, so cider is a must: taste your way through low-intervention, Great Taste award-winning bottles made at Severn Cider, or spend a few hours sampling the taps at Bespoke Brewery in Littledean.
“Walk it off among the vegetable plots and orchards at Westbury Court Garden, a 17th-century Dutch-style water garden – also the perfect place for a picnic of charcuterie and sweet treats from Shop at the Ship, Newnham’s favourite deli.”
The charming village of Newnham, located on the western bank of the River Severn and about 10 miles south-west of Gloucester, has a rich history, reports Gloucestershire Live. The Romans, recognising its strategic position on the Severn, built three roads through the area where they crossed the river.
The Anglo-Saxons later established a permanent settlement here, which was fortified by the Normans against the Welsh. In the medieval period, it developed into an important port with connections across Great Britain and Ireland.
In 1171, Henry II of England launched his invasion of Ireland from Newnham. Some accounts suggest he set sail with a fleet of 400 ships and 5,000 men, underlining the port’s importance.
However, the opening of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal in 1827 led to a rapid decline in its status as a port and trading centre.
Newnham is positioned on a significant bend in the river, making it one of the best places to watch the famous Severn Bore. This wave is created when the incoming tide from the Bristol Channel is funnelled into the narrow Severn Estuary.
Minor bores occur throughout the year, but under certain conditions, usually in early spring or late autumn, the tide can produce a wave up to nine feet high – a thrilling challenge for surfers and canoeists.
The parish church was founded in the 14th century, although a chapel of ease had been present since 1018. The new church edifice was consecrated in 1366 as the previous one was being eroded by the river.
Despite enduring damage from a gunpowder explosion in 1644 during the English Civil War and a fire in 1881, the building is still very much in use. The adjacent peace garden offers a lovely spot to take in views of the river, with beautiful riverside and countryside walks on offer.
You can wander along the river in either direction – north towards Westbury-on-Severn or south to Awre and Blakeney. On the top of the hill behind Newnham, you’ll find the Blaize Bailey viewpoint, which offers breath-taking views over the village, the Severn, and the Cotswolds hills on the opposite side.