Wrexham has been ranked amongst the top 10 places to raise a family in the UK, according to an authoritative study by Millie & Jones, a UK family business specialising in children's beds.

The study, which analysed eleven different types of criteria, placed Wrexham in 10th place with a score of 53.15, highlighting the city's provision of schools, parks, playgrounds, and family-friendly activities.

Wrexham impressed with the amount of schools per 100K residents, and the amount of parks, playgrounds and activities.

Topping the list is Preston, who was crowned the most family-friendly city in the UK with a score of 66.33.

Preston's high ranking is thanks to its range of childcare options, affordability of living, and residents' happiness.

Second place went to Lichfield, scoring 64.54, thanks to its number of parks, playgrounds and child-friendly activities per 100,000 residents.

St Albans, whilst having a high cost of living, took third place due to its provision of green spaces, recreational activities, low unemployment rate and highly educated population.

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Cambridge is in fourth place, praised for its educational excellence and low divorce rate.

Stirling is fifth, primarily for its low crime rate and good selection of schools and childcare options.

Choosing the right city to start a family in is crucial as factors like quality of education, safety, cost of living, childcare and availability of parks and playgrounds all play a vital role.

However, the study also revealed several cities that may pose challenges for new families.

Renowned cities such as London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Birmingham didn't feature in the top 20, proving that popular tourist destinations aren't necessarily the most suitable for family life.

Harry Hammond, a spokesperson for Millie & Jones, said, "The environment in which a child is brought up significantly shapes their future.

"A safe, nurturing community with access to high-quality education, healthcare, and recreational facilities provides a robust foundation for children to thrive.

"Cities ranking lower in terms of family-friendliness, such as Sunderland, should aim to enhance their offerings and invest in family-focused initiatives that not only benefit current families but also attract future generations, fostering a sustainable and thriving community."

The complete rankings take into account factors including crime rate, number of schools, level of qualifications, average salary-to-rent ratio, unemployment rate, level of happiness, number of daycare centres, property prices, parks and playgrounds, child-friendly activities, and divorce rates.