'At first I tolerated Swindon, now I adore it'

A town said to have hidden "treasures" has been praised for its quality of life.

Swindon was named Britain's best place for quality of life in 2026 in the Property Prosperity Index, which takes into account things like crime, life satisfaction, access to green spaces, commuting times and broadband speeds.

Melissa Sebata runs Hidden Swindon, a social media account which shares local events. She admitted she herself had made a shift from "tolerating Swindon to adoring it" and said many people don't realise the town's worth on first glance.

"I truly believe there is something here for everyone," she said. "Swindon's treasures are reserved for those who seek them."

Swindon reached a score of 7.32 out of 10 in the Property Prosperity Index, a study by property sales company Sell House Fast.

One of the key factors which boosted the Wiltshire town to the top of the list was parks like Coate Water and Lydiard Park.

The prosperity index said there are 39.9 sqm of green space per person in Swindon - the fourth highest statistic country in the country for this category.

The report also said Swindon recorded the second-lowest crime rate in their data, with 69.6 incidents per 1,000 people.

Jack Malnick, managing director at Sell House Fast, said: "People don't just want a 'nice house' anymore; it goes beyond that. They want somewhere that supports their lifestyle, routines and family dynamics.

"They want easier commutes, green space for escaping, reliable internet, and sense of safety."

Sebata started Hidden Swindon this summer after a week "when the negativity about the town felt incessant" and hopes more people can find reason "to believe in what Swindon has to offer."

"Hidden Swindon is my contribution of hope for the town," she said.

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