Oxfordshire has been snubbed from the Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2024 list despite getting a glowing mention in 2023.

Last year, East Oxford made the list thanks to its “renowned museums, excellent theatres and ravishing urban landscape.”

Describing East Oxford at the time, the Sunday Times said: “The terrible traffic and crippling house prices can be off-putting, but Oxford’s renowned museums, excellent theatres, ravishing urban landscape cast an irresistible spell.

“We think you can have the best of both worlds if you travel on two legs or two wheels and set your sights on the east of the city - especially Cowley Road, which is Oxford’s most multicultural and vibrant street and home to the county’s largest group of indie businesses."

However this year, the renowned museums, excellent theatres and ravishing urban landscapes were seemingly forgotten.

See their full guide here.

According to Helen Davies, the editor of the guide, 2024's list has a location to suit everyone, but nowhere in Oxfordshire made the cut.

Instead, Davies said: “What makes our guide unique is that we visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there.”

“That means we can see what people really love about the places they live. That might be fast commutes and high-achieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community"

Recommended reading:

“Different people may be looking for different things, but what all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home.”

Kim Kinnaird, homes and protection director at the mortgage lender Halifax, which sponsors The Sunday Times Best Place to Live, said: “Where you want to live is a very personal decision. There can be lots to think about around what is right for you and your family.

"With a great range of locations suited for different budgets and family situations, alongside a great mix of both rural and urban locations, this is a great place to start.”

North Berwick is the first Scottish winner in the 12-year history of Best Places to Live

Previous winners of the Best Places to Live title are Stamford, Lincolnshire (2013); Skipton, North Yorkshire (2014); Newnham, Cambridge (2015); Winchester, Hampshire (2016); Bristol (2017); York, North Yorkshire (2018); Salisbury, Wiltshire (2019); Altrincham, Cheshire (2020); Stroud, Gloucestershire (2021); Ilkley, West Yorkshire (2022); and Wadhurst, East Sussex (2023).

The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2024 guide is online now and will be available as a magazine supplement on Sunday (March 17).