Times survey rates Chew Magna as one of the best villages in Britain
Chew Magna is one of the best villages in Britain, according to a new survey.
With its flagstone pavements, traditional shops and schools offering some of the best education around, the village was ranked third in The Times 30 best villages survey published this week.
Chew Magna came behind West Meon, in Hampshire, and Castle Combe, in Wiltshire, after analysis of schools, transport and other facilities.
The Times points out that the 1,200-strong village has two banks, the Michelin-starred Pony and Trap pub, and nearby Chew Valley School which is rated as outstanding.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The downsides, according to the survey, are house prices which are on the up and the village's flooding problems.
Price data shows families looking at paying about £450,000 for a home with £750,000 for a Victorian or Georgian property.
Holly Eggleton, who runs the Pony and Trap with her chef brother Josh, said it was the sense of community that made Chew Magna such a great place to live.
She said: "It is such a pretty place and while the Chew Valley is a rural area it has great amenities and Chew Magna is at the heart of it. There is a real community feel and everyone likes to help each other out.
"The buildings are so beautiful and so much thought goes into keeping them that way even when it comes to new properties."
At estate agents Killens, which has an office in the centre of the village, spokesman Matthew Bingham said: "People are looking at the schools and we have very good primary and secondary schools. There is also the ease of commuting to Bristol and Bath. There is also varying and interesting styles of property."
The village's sense of community was echoed by the Radstock Co-operative Society which recently revamped its store that has been in Chew Magna since 1920.
A spokesman said: "We have built up a loyal customer base and feel that we are very much a part of the community; in fact many of our staff live within a stone's throw of the store in Harford Square and have worked there for many years."
Comments