The top ten locations to live in County Durham and Darlington have been revealed, with a property site taking into account a range of factors for the rankings. 

Using housing data, as well as rankings for schools, employment and connectivity, Garrington Property Finders have put together the best places to live across the UK, including North East lists. 

Compiling all 1,400 locations across the UK, the property service then ranked each location on the natural environment, wellbeing, heritage and culture, schools, employment, and house prices.

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While there was no County Durham or Darlington name included in the prestigious top 20 places to live in the UK list, we have compiled the top 10 locations in County Durham. 

Here is the list and the rankings for each category from Garrington Property Finders.

All of the locations can be found here.

Barnard Castle

  • Overall rank:244 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:522
  • Wellbeing:101
  • Heritage / Culture:815
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:509
  • House Price Quality and Value:680
  • Average family home cost: £328,742

Willington (County Durham)

  • Overall rank:340 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:78
  • Wellbeing:429
  • Heritage / Culture:1318
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:241
  • House Price Quality and Value:806
  • Average family home cost:£172,405

Rowlands Gill

  • Overall rank:407 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:175
  • Wellbeing:188
  • Heritage / Culture:1093
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:1220
  • House Price Quality and Value:357
  • Average family home cost:£295,977

Durham

  • Overall rank:423 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:394
  • Wellbeing:996
  • Heritage / Culture:464
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:651
  • House Price Quality and Value:549

Shildon

  • Overall rank:470 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:106
  • Wellbeing:649
  • Heritage / Culture:1029
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:295
  • House Price Quality and Value:1061
  • Average family home cost:£125,626

Darlington

  • Overall rank:610 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:679
  • Wellbeing:986
  • Heritage / Culture:919
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:13
  • House Price Quality and Value:792
  • Average family home cost:£237,080

Horden

  • Overall rank:639 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:1
  • Wellbeing:492
  • Heritage / Culture:1305
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:307
  • House Price Quality and Value:1321
  • Average family home cost:£102,135

Spennymoor

  • Overall rank:782 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:149
  • Wellbeing:1012
  • Heritage / Culture:944
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:915
  • House Price Quality and Value:672
  • Average family home cost:£201,452

Ferryhill

  • Overall rank:798 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:299
  • Wellbeing:830
  • Heritage / Culture:1192
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:343
  • House Price Quality and Value:1067
  • Average family home cost:£118,384
  • Average family home cost:£342,496

Ushaw Moor and Bearpark

  • Overall rank:807 / 1429
  • Natural Environment:451
  • Wellbeing:164
  • Heritage / Culture:1198
  • Schools, Employment and Connectivity:605
  • House Price Quality and Value:1326
  • Average family home cost:£210,507