Village with 'off-putting' postcode an hour from Birmingham where homebuyers are rushing to move

The Times hailed Barlaston as 'one of the best addresses in the Potteries'

An 'unsung' Staffordshire village has been named as one of the best 'secret' places to live in the UK, despite its local pub being owned by a famous actor.

Barlaston was one of two Midland locations to make The Times' 20 best secret villages list, but it's appearing more often on homebuyers' wish lists. Ranked in 18th place, the quiet village, an hour's drive from Birmingham, has seen the biggest rural price growth in the West Midlands over the past ten years, up 65% compared to the regional average of 46%, the paper reports.

Local landmarks include the historic Barlaston Hall, which was once home to the Wedgwood pottery family, and The Plume of Feathers gastropub, which is co-owned by Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey. The other pub in the village, The Duke of York, is known in the area for its quality, generously-portioned grub.

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Barlaston also has one of the best tearooms in this part of the country on its border, World of Wedgwood, plus scenic walking routes within the National Trust-managed Downs Banks and the 100-acre Hem Heath Woods.

The Times described 'unsung' Barlaston as 'one of the best addresses in the Potteries', but added that its Stoke postcode 'may be off-putting to some'. It mentioned the village's 'good connections', its 'sense of green space' and 'excellent amenities', which make it a popular choice with both downsizers and upsizers.

Homes in the leafy neighbourhood range from grand old detached residences to neat newbuilds that are sympathetic to their surrounds. The average house price in Barlaston sits at a reasonable £329,070.

The other Midlands village to make the list was Gaydon in Warwickshire, which came in 15th place. 'Conveniently located' just off the M40, the tiny neighbourhood had a population of just 530 in the 2021 census, but its shop, Gaydon Village Store, was described by The Times as 'one of the best'.

The little shop is frequented by residents from miles around, thanks to its stock of locally-sourced produce. Gaydon is a pricier location for homebuyers, however, with the average home selling for just over £500,000.