Four Powys towns have been named amongst the best places to live in the UK.

Machynlleth, Brecon, Hay-on-Wye and Crickhowell were all named by consumer choice website Which? amongst the best places to live in the country.

The ratings came from 9,000 of their members who rated the inland towns and villages they'd visited.

The towns were judged on a number of separate parameters including food and drink, tourist attractions, scenery, shopping and peace and quiet.

County Times: Hay-on-Wye was praised for its attractiveness and shopping opportunitiesHay-on-Wye was praised for its attractiveness and shopping opportunities (Image: Hereford Times)

Crickhowell was the highest rated Powys destination with a destination score of 78 per cent and rated five stars for its scenery


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This was followed by Hay-on-Wye with 73 percent which was rated four stars for its attractiveness and shopping opportunities.

Brecon on 71 per cent came next, which like Crickhowell was rated five stars for the local scenery.

Machynlleth was the lowest rated of the  four on 69 per cent but was rated five stars for both scenery and peace and quiet.

County Times: Crickhowell was praised for its spectacular sceneryCrickhowell was praised for its spectacular scenery (Image: George Tod/Geograph)

Which? said of the towns included in the list: “With their historic buildings, rural charm and quirky, independent spirit, the highest-rated towns are worth a visit any time of the year.”

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The top rated place in Wales was found just north of Powys in Llangollen, which was praised for its “freewheeling, independent spirit” and “impressive calendar of arts events”.

Across the UK the number one rated destination was Wells in Somerset which gained particular praise for its 13th-century cathedral.

Its “elaborately carved west façade” was praised as “an outstanding piece of early English Gothic architecture”.