South Pond, Midhurst by John Trueman

MIDHURST has been named one of the top country market towns in which to live in the country.

What is more those behind the survey say Midhurst and other towns like it can expect a cash boom because of the identifiable trend for city dwellers to move into them.

Midhurst was named as West Sussex's only representative in Country Life magazine's search for Britain's most popular country market town. It is said with a greater liklihood for people to now work from home and a trend for young families to move out of big cities, market towns such as Midhurst were feeling the benefit.

The magazine's editor, Clive Aslet, said "I think country market towns have been neglected and there is going to be a renaissance. If I had the chance I would love to live in one"

Experts already say that those market towns named in the list can expect to seee property rise and the town which is named top can expect to see prices rise by around ten to 15%.

Kingham in Oxfordshire experienced such rises after it was named Country Life's village of the year in 2004.

The magazine estimates around 115,000 city dwellers move to live in country market towns every year and say the number is increasing - mainly because such towns are a blend of country living with the convenience of shops and larger communities.

Battle was named as East Sussex's only representative on the shortlist while other counties enjoyed five or more nominees.

A decision on the country market town winner will be made later this year, probably in November.

Latest News. Here is the shortlist in the Country Life Top Market Town Competition

SOUTH-EAST MARKET TOWNS
Judge: Penelope Keith

1. ALRESFORD, Hampshire.
It has a steam railway to Alton and its Millennium Trail is a successful new walk. Plenty of good shopping in aptly named Broad Street.

2. FAVERSHAM, Kent.
The first town to be given a bypass (by the Romans), it has the oldest Cinque Ports charter, and thriving local company Shepherd Neame is the oldest surviving brewery in the country.

3. LEWES, East Sussex.
In the foothills of the South Downs and close to the south coast. Its steep high street with its melée of period houses and ancient passageways-called twittens-give a special character.

EAST MARKET TOWNS
JUDGE: THE RT HON JOHN GUMMER

1. MALDON, Essex.
One of the least spoilt towns in Essex, it lies on the wide Blackwater estuary. There is a seafood month throughout September and an oyster festival. The Maldon mud race has recently been revived.

2. FAKENHAM, Norfolk.
Famous for its mills, it also has a racecourse which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. There is a charter market every Thursday and a farmers' market every month.

3. FRAMLINGHAM, Suffolk
Its medley of architectural styles from timber-framed and Regency to Georgian red-brick and Victorian yellow-brick gives the town a distinct character and the curtain-walled castle is where Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen.

NORTH MARKET TOWNS
JUDGE: DAVID HOPE

1. BEVERLEY, East Riding.
Beverley Minster towers over the town. It has folk and literature festivals, and the Saturday market-with 140 stalls-dates back to the town's charter in the Middle Ages.

2. HEXHAM, Northumberland.
There has been a settlement here, 20 miles west of Newcastle, since Saxon times and it is the closest town to Hadrian's Wall. Among many useful stores, it has a violin shop. In 2001, the new market was judged the best Farmers' Market in England and Wales by the National Farmers' Union.

3. BARNARD CASTLE, Co Durham.
Perched high on a bank overlooking the River Tees, it is home to the splendid château-style Bowes Museum.

MIDLANDS MARKET TOWNS
JUDGE: BEN FOGLE

1. NANTWICH, Cheshire.
A popular food and drink festival is held next month (September 23-25) among the Grade I-listed timber-framed houses. It also plays host to the world worm-charming championships.

3. ASHBOURNE, Derbyshire.
Popular with tourists and locals, this largely Georgian town nestles in the Henmore valley on the edge of the Peak District. It has many small tea rooms and restaurantsas well as specialist outdoor clothing and climbing equipment shops.

3. STAMFORD, Lincolnshire.
Called 'the finest scene between London and Edinburgh' by Sir Walter Scott, it was one of the richest towns in England by the 14th century. It also benefited from the stagecoach era of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, its riverside festival is one of the biggest free music and arts festivals in the area.

SOUTH-WEST MARKET TOWNS
JUDGE: NOEL EDMONDS

1. TAVISTOCK, Devon.
This has wonderful specialist shops (such as the famous N. H. Creber delicatessen), traditions (such as the Dickensian Christmas) and a great local paper. And it is all surrounded by stunning scenery.

2. SHERBORNE, Dorset.
A beautiful town with an abundance of medieval buildings, a superb Abbey, famous schools, picturesque almshouses and a new castle, as well as an old one. There are several societies, including a town brass band, and there is a regular market every Thursday and Saturday.

3. MARLBOROUGH, Wiltshire.
There is plenty of room for the twice-weekly market in England's widest high street, which has yet to be swamped by chain stores. It also hosts one of the best jazz festivals in the country.

View list of Country Towns in England.

[MIDHURST HOMEPAGE]

' Midhurst Market Town " is sponsored by Violet Designs, Midhurst, West Sussex Tel: 01730 810059. We just try harder to give exceptional service and prices.

.