Village life? It’s a safe bet

Eight rural idylls where you can escape the crime and chaos of the city...

• Daily Mail
• 3 Oct 2025
• by Angela Epstein

THERE are plenty of reasons why people are drawn to the fabled attractions of village life, from the sense of close-knit community and tranquillity, to ducks on the green and the slow pace of life. But, for some, another pull is that villages feel like safer places to live.

‘Thefts in the countryside are far less common than one might imagine,’ says Edward Heaton, founder of buying agency Heaton & Partners. ‘When they do occur they are usually opportunistic – for example, a delivery driver spotting an open door, or the theft of oil or garden machinery. Old-school break-ins are largely a thing of the past. Villages further from major towns tend to enjoy lower crime rates, as your average town-based criminal is unlikely to travel far.’ So, where exactly can you find Britain’s safest villages? Here are eight of the very best…

1. ROSSETT, WREXHAM

This large village close to the Cheshire border is one of the most sought-after areas of Wrexham, with just four crimes reported in February 2025. In fact, its crime rate of 38.46 per 1,000 people is lower than much of the surrounding region. The village offers a strong sense of community, with schools, pubs, restaurants, shops and a pharmacy within reach. There are plenty of places to live: Castle Green Homes is offering three and four-bedroom energy-efficient homes at Trevalyn Place on the edge of the village.

2. HOLMES CHAPEL, CHESHIRE

The birthplace of pop superstar and One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles, this Cheshire village is one of the safest, according to home security provider ADT. Its research looked at the 4.1 million recorded crimes last year, with an average rate of 152 per 1,000 population; Holmes Chapel only had 7.1 per 1,000. In addition to its starry connection and low crime rate, Holmes Chapel residents enjoy a peaceful lifestyle in the countryside while staying connected to major cities including Manchester and Stoke-on-trent.

3. CHARMINSTER, DORSET

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) crime data shows that Dorset remains within the top ten safest counties, after a decrease in overall crime in the last 12 months. Charminster is a prime example – making it a very attractive place to live. This picturesque village on the River Cerne is on the edge of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural

Beauty and about two miles from Dorchester town centre. Charminster has some lovely traditional cottages and a gorgeous Norman church, St Mary’s. The allegedly haunted Wolfeton House was the home of the Trenchard family from 1480 until the late 18th century, and is a popular visitor attraction. Perhaps it is ghosts that are scaring the criminals away...

4. GREAT SHELFORD, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Postcodes analysed by ADT for criminal activity found that this Cambridgeshire village didn’t experience a single burglary over the past 12 months. Around four miles south of Cambridge and nestled in the heart of the countryside, Great Shelford has all the hallmarks of an ‘authentic English village’ with its picturesque streets, shops, restaurants and pubs. And clearly you don’t need to lock your back door either.

5. PAINSWICK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Gloucestershire Village of the Year 2025, Painswick offers a welcoming, safe environment for families, says Craig Fuller, MD of Craig Fuller Property. ‘Surrounded by countryside and walks to Painswick Beacon, it has primaries rated good and access to top grammar and independent schools. It is known for its strong community spirit and tranquil pace of life.’

6. IRBY VILLAGE, WIRRAL

Irby stretches back to Viking times but its name means ‘Farmstead of the Irish’. Located on the Wirral, the village once hummed with industry: its mill ground grain to feed the community, while the quarry – now a place for climbers – provided much of the sandstone that shaped the region’s buildings. ‘Irby Village is a peaceful village in the heart of the peninsula,’ says property expert Liam Gretton. ‘It is known for its low crime and close-knit community, all while offering easy access to the wider Wirral area and amenities.’

7. GREAT MASSINGHAM, NORFOLK

This Norfolk village is easy on the eye, and known for its low crime rates and strong community spirit, says Kyle Dunn, Commercial Mortgage Guide founder, with only two incidents reported in June 2025. ‘The village also boasts amenities such as the award-winning Massingham Stores & Post Office, The

Dabbling Duck pub, The Cartshed Tearoom, and tennis courts and a fishing pond.’

8. COWLINGE, SUFFOLK

Suffolk is among the safest counties, and villages, namely Cowlinge, offer low crime and strong community spirit, says Paddy Pritchard-gordon of Prime Purchase. ‘Places such as Cowlinge in rolling countryside are peaceful and calm with a very low crime rate.’ The village also boasts 650-year-old church of St Margaret of Antioch.

Article Name:Village life? It’s a safe bet

Publication:Daily Mail

Author:by Angela Epstein