We visited the Staffordshire village where there's always a deal to be had in the shops - but community spirit is completely free
There's a bit of everything for everyone in Penkridge - including friendly faces and lovely conversation.
Lying at the south end of Staffordshire, to the north of Wolverhampton and the east of Telford, lies the quiet and comfortable village of Penkridge.
A historic village that is renowned for its weekly market and abundance of friendly faces - Penkridge offers the perfect place to live for those looking for a slice of 'village life'.
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As I walked through its short but plentiful streets, the ancient history of the village was told through its shop windows, its pubs, and its picturesque village square.
Talking to residents and shopkeepers, it became quickly apparent that the long and sprawling history of their home, their market, and that slice of 'village life' is everything.
"It's the friendly people - that's what makes it stand out," said Jean O'Borne, an 80-year-old Penkridge resident who moved to the village only 12 months ago from the Isle of Wight.
"It's very beautiful. I love coming to the village and just talking to people. I love the people. They're always very friendly and the high street is lovely," she added.
Originating in the early Middle Ages, Penkridge has developed over the years to include plenty of pubs, butchers and bakers, sweet sellers and clothes shops - everything the local resident and visitor needs on a day out to the shops.
Jodie Bloomer, of Judy's Sweet Shop, has been operating on the site since 2022, but residents have long been able to buy a sugary treat from the building for decades before then.
She said: "It's really lovely here. We have been here since, I believe, 2022, but it was a sweet shop long before then. I think it's the people who make it so lovely.
"You get people walking around outside and popping in just to say hi. We get people from all over to come here. It's just a very friendly and lovely place to live and work."
Residents of Penkridge also pointed out the many local pubs and shops as the best aspect of the village, all within arm's reach of each other, but each as lovely as the last.
Julie Macaulay has lived in Penkridge since 1991, she said: "I love the friendly people here. But also, if you do need something, you have the shops right there, and it just has that community spirit.
"You have a lovely butcher's and bakery, and all the people here are community-minded. There aren't a lot of areas like this."
However, despite the plentiful shops, the beautiful surroundings and the friendly faces, one term was on everyone's lips - 'the village life'.
The 'village life' is what keeps people coming back; the community feel, knowing your neighbours and welcoming outsiders with open arms, to residents, this is what makes Penkridge the best place to live.
Phil Myatt, 76, has lived in the village for 56 years, he said: "It's the village life, that's the best thing about living here. I mean, look at it. It's lovely.
"I'm originally from Wolverhampton, but I would never live anywhere else now. You can come and walk at night and feel safe. It's a lovely day out, and people have come from miles to be here. What's not to love about this area?"
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