Worcestershire is known for its stunning riverside towns and idyllic villages - many of which are regarded as some of the best places to live in the UK. However, amid the county's rolling countryside is an assuming town that is sometimes overlooked compared to its neighbours.

The unassuming Bromsgrove, which is less than half an hour away from Birmingham, has a lot to offer - and was recently named as Brum's most desirable commuter location in a new study by Selecta UK. The company considered a number of factors, including train travel time, schools and crime rates, to rate the most desirable commuter towns in Birmingham from best to worst.

At the top of the list was Bromsgrove, which rated highly for its schools, easy rail links to Birmingham and green spaces. Selecta wrote: "Bromsgrove is well-known for a prestigious and independent residential school called Bromsgrove School.

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"The town also has plenty of green, outdoor space, with 90 percent of its 217 square kilometres listed as greenbelt. Being only a short 26 minutes from Birmingham, it’s a quick and easy journey for commuters and hybrid workers.

"The town scores favourably in most of the categories but in particular for the percentage of outstanding schools (28 per cent), for which it receives the highest score out of all the towns listed. Bromsgrove also has the top score for the number of picturesque National Trust properties in its vicinity.

"For example, Hanbury Hall and the 8 Hills Regional Park where you can enjoy long leisurely walks with the family or loved ones while basking in the sounds of the thriving ecosystem it is home to. Bromsgrove has the lowest crime rate recorded out of the list of towns, testifying to the desirability of the area.

"This might be why house prices are the second highest, on average £347,200, in turn reflecting the town’s popularity."

Bromsgrove town centre
Bromsgrove town centre

It's easy to see why Bromsgrove can be considered as one of the most desirable commuter towns. When it comes to attractions, the town is home to England’s first open air museum Avoncroft Museum, which has dozens of historic buildings and structures to see, all of which have been rescued and re-built on the site.

Transport Museum Wythall is also located nearby on the Bromsgrove border and was named one of the best attractions in the world. Then there's the fact the town boasts plenty of country pubs, canal restaurants and eateries from across several different cultures to choose from.

Several idyllic villages can also be found in the Bromsgrove district, from the celebrity haven of Barnt Green to the serene and deserted Dodford. You can find the full results from the Selecta UK study on its website here.

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