Ogmore-by-Sea in South Wales has been named the best place in the UK to work from home, with a growing number of remote workers heading to the charming village
Ogmore-by-Sea has become the UK’s prime location for remote working, attracting ex-Londoners with its stunning sea views, top-notch broadband, and a lifestyle that perfectly blends work and leisure. The picturesque village on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast has been named the ultimate spot for home workers, thanks to a study evaluating housing affordability, internet connectivity, and proximity to nature.
Residents of Ogmore-by-Sea aren’t shocked by this recognition, as many have chosen to return here after years in the capital, drawn back by the rise of telecommuting. Local cafes are thriving from the influx of people working remotely, a trend that has only grown since the onset of the pandemic.
Lee Davis, who once sought the excitement of cities such as London and Manchester, resettled in the nearby village of Wick five years ago.
As someone in steel sales, Lee relishes the ability to work from his house, sharing: “I often work from home so I can have interludes like taking my friend’s dog, Fudge, for a walk.”
He appreciates the serenity that contrasts with urban life, stating: “You can switch off completely – it chills me out. I can’t stand the place; the Tube, the people, the stress. I wanted to come back somewhere tranquil.”
For Lee, Ogmore-by-Sea epitomises the idyllic balance between professional duties and personal relaxation, reports MyLondon.
Ffion Hughes, an employee at The Welsh Coffee Company, her uncle’s coffee shop, has noticed a trend: “We usually do get a lot of people working from here, mostly in the morning. As soon as Covid hit, so many people came here, it was crazy.”
Nico Gibbs from Hilary and Iain’s Kitchen nearby, is thankful for the surge of remote workers frequenting their establishment. He said: “People are here for hours and hours which is nice. They get to look at the beach and most of them order breakfast, then they will have a coffee. We are happy to let them stay as long as they want.”
Yet, the growing popularity with telecommuters has occasionally overwhelmed their internet service. Nico admitted: “We do give out the WiFi password – but sometimes it gets too busy to give it out.”
John Sinden who swapped London for seaside village life in 2018 and now works remotely as a biotech executive, praised the local setup. He said: “People are friendly here and everything works, like the public transport. It is a lovely location, close to the sea and with coastal paths in walking distance.”
Deb Clarke is firmly rooted in Ogmore-by-Sea and after returning five years ago, she’s adamant about staying put, saying: “It is so close to the coast and close enough to Swansea and Cardiff.”
Working from her home as a scenic artist, Deb juggles her career with looking after her one-year-old Cavapoo, Melyn, relishing the mix of seaside living and travel for work.
John Davis shares the enthusiasm of those drawn back to their hometowns, having resettled in the area six years ago. He observed: “A lot of people came during Covid. People wanted to leave towns and cities.”
He also remarked on the influx of younger faces due to new housing projects, with census figures showing a population jump from 878 in 2011 to 1,354 in 2021.
The village has been praised for its vibrant year-round community, quaint local pub, access to boutique shopping and “excellent” retail options, according to a recent study.
The same report notes an average property price of £517,000 and boasts of ultrafast broadband, convenient train links to London, and the proximity to Cardiff.