RESIDENTS of a picturesque village say it’s the ‘best’ in the UK – with friendly neighbours, stunning views and cheap houses.
Alvechurch village, located on the border with Birmingham and Worcestershire, is a popular getaway for people seeking a breath of country air but who still need to commute to work.
Dina, who has been a resident in the village for 35 years, told BirminghamLive she “wouldn’t live anywhere else”.
She added: “Apart from a lack of bus services it’s a wonderful place to live – everyone is friendly, there are good shops and it’s a wonderful community.”
Properties in Alvechurch range from pre-war former council buildings to larger impressive homes.
The older houses and historic cottages, some dating back at least 200 years, are found dotted around the village centre.
Alvechurch’s claim to fame is that Godfrey Baseley, the man who created Radio 4 soap The Archers, was born there.
Godfrey, the son of a local butcher, Walter Ernest Baseley, invented The Archers back in 1950.
BirminghamLive reported: “It has it all: shops, a train station, two schools, plenty of housing, good transport links, and several pubs.”
Alvechurch village is known for its community spirit coupled with an array of places to eat and drink and clubs and societies to join.
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Unlike many other rural villages in the UK, it has a train station and has frequent services to and from Birmingham and Redditch.
Just a short drive away is village Barnt Green, a well-known village with a thriving High Street and links with mega-rich Premier League footballers and other celebrities.
But residents reported you get more for your money in Alvechurch – houses are cheaper and there are far more of them.
This is not the only UK village hailed for its scenery and atmosphere.
Residents of this village say hordes of tourists peer into their windows and picnic in their gardens.
Meanwhile, locals in one of the UK’s poshest villages say they are proud of their home, which has Unesco world heritage status.